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Carissa macrocarpa
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Carissa grandiflora |
| Common Name: | Natal Plum |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Coastal region of Natal, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Evergreen woody shrub which spreads out as it grows. Both height and width can reach up to 4 - 5 m. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves, simple, opposite, elliptic to broadly ovate, usually thick and surface is waxy, measuring about 2 - 4 cm by 1.5 - 3 cm, leaf tips usually have a single thorn. |
| Stems | Presence of stout, double pronged thorns (<5cm) on branches. |
| Flowers | White, 5-lobed, tubular flowers approx 5 cm broad. Has a sweet fragrance. |
| Fruit | Unripe fruit is green in colour and rich in latex. Colour changes gradually from green to bright red and then dark crimson when riped. Fruit is tender, juicy and contains milky sap. Fruit measures about 1.5 - 5 cm long and contains 3 - 10 brown seeds. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Coastal |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Toxic Upon Ingestion |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Apiculate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Terminal, Cauliflorous |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29352 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3661 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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