Edible Plants of the World

Carandas plum, Simple-spined carissa

It is a tropical plant. It occurs in semi arid lowlands and in the highlands. They occur in regions with temperatures in the range 14-22°C. They occur from sea level to 2400 m but are more common at 800-1200 m altitude. It is damaged by frost but resistant to drought. They will grow on most soils. In Tanzania it grows in areas with a rainfall between 1,000-2,100 mm. They do not do well in wet areas. It can grow in arid places. It often grows on termite mounds. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. In Yunnan.

Also known as:

Achuga, Acoga, Acuga, Adokokolia, Adishawel, Agam, Agamita, Aimuria, Akamba, Amatungula, Amuria, Arabian num-num, Botsu, Dhagamsa, Dougourah, Egyptian carissa, Ekamuria, Enyonza, Gurura, Hazolahy, Iminyonza, Kirumba, Kumakuma, Lamuriei, Machame, Manka, Mfumba, Mfumbwe, Mkalakala, Mkolokolo, Mpambulu, Msuuku, Mtanda-mboo, mu-Kawa, Mudyabveni, Mudzambara, Muhlababzunzi, Mukawa, Mukagwa, Mukomfwa, Mulowe, Mumbingwa, Muruguru, Mutsamviringa, Mutwooga, Muyonza, Ochuoga, Omuyonza, Qach, Simple-spined num-num, Small num-num, Tian jia hu ci, Titiwi, Tshirungulu, Umlugulu, Umuyonza

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Carandas plum grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, India, Indochina, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pacific, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There about 20-37 Carissa species. All Carissa species bear edible fruit. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. Now Carissa spinarum.

Status: The fruit are eaten especially by children. It is a cultivated food plant.

Growing Carandas plum, Simple-spined carissa

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. For hedges they are planted at between 1 and 2 m apart and pruned to 1-1.5 m high. Seedlings need watering. Seeds are best sown in a nursery and then transplanted. Plants can be used as a hedge and pruned.

Edible Uses: The fruit are eaten raw especially by children. They can be made into jam. The fruit are fermented into wine or vinegar. The roots are eaten as a boiled vegetable. They are used as a spice. The leaves are used as a pot herb.

Production: Fruit reaches maturity 4 months after flowering. Fruit are collected during the dry season. Fruit are harvested off the tree.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Fruit 418 9.2 - - - - 87.3
Root - - - - - -

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