Carissa carandas

Carissa carandas is a species of flowering shrub in the family Apocynaceae. It produces berry-sized fruits that are commonly used as a condiment in Indian pickles and spices. The fruit is black and tastes sweet or sour depending on the plant. It is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that thrives well in a wide range of soils. Common names in English include Bengal currant, Christ's thorn, Carandas plum, Karonda, Karvanda and Kanna . The supposed varieties congesta and paucinervia refer to the related conkerberry (C. spinarum).

Description

A large shrub. It grows 5 m tall. It has stout spines in pairs. They are 5 cm long. The leaves are oblong with distinct veins. They are 3-7 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. There are usually 3 flowers at the ends of the branches. The flowers have a scent. The fruit are red to purple berries. They are oval and 1.5-2.5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide.

Edible Uses

Ripe fruit are eaten raw or used for juices, salads, and jams. Unripe fruit are used for pickles, and ripe fruit are eaten with salt.

Traditional Uses

Ripe fruit are eaten raw and unripe fruit are also used for pickles. Ripe fruit are used for juices, salads and jams. The fruit are eaten with salt.

Medicinal Uses

The fruits are astringent, antiscorbutic and also used as a remedy for biliousness. A leaf decoction is used against fever, diarrhoea, and earache. The roots serve as a stomachic, vermifuge and remedy for itches.

Distribution

It is a temperate or subtropical plant. It suits drier areas. It grows in lowland rainforest between 300-1,800 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Afghanistan, Andamans, Bangladesh, Brazil, Caribbean, China, Colombia, Cuba, Himalayas, India*, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or by cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings. Can be difficult. Air layering. Can be difficult.

Other Uses

The roots are used as an insect repellent. A white latex is found in the plant. The wood is hard and is used to make small utensils. It is used for making household furniture and for turning. The plant responds well to trimming and is frequently grown as a hedge. With its sharp spines, it makes an excellent barrier.

Production

In China plants flower from March to June and fruit from July to December. A tree can produce 10 kg of fruit.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Notes

Now an accepted name. There has been confusion with Carissa congesta (Now Carissa spinarum)

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ankukoli, Buah karanda, Buah samarinda, Caranda, Chutro, Ci huang guo, Garna, Kakronda, Kala, Kalakkay, Kallakai, Kalmi, Karamcha, Karanda, Karaudi, Karaunda, Karenja, Karonda, Karounda, Karunda, Karvand, Kaule kayi, Khan, Kilakkay, Koramcha, Mahakaramba, Malaysian karanda, Perungala

References (41)

• Arinathan, V., et al, 2007, Wild edibles used by Palliyars of the western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1) pp 163-168
• Ashton, M. S., et al 1997, A Field Guide to the Common Trees and Shrubs of Sri Lanka. WHT Publications Ltd. p 107
• Bajpai, O., et al, 2015, Tree species of the Himalayan Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, India: a checklist. Check List 11(4): 1718
• Bandyopadhyay, S. et al, 2009, Wild edible plants of Koch Bihar district, West Bengal. Natural Products Radiance 8(1) 64-72
• Bandyopadhyay, S., et al, 2012, A Census of Wild Edible Plants from Howrah District, West Bengal, India. Proceedings of UGC sponsored National Seminar 2012

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