Natal plum, Large num-num, Carissa

Where does Natal plum grow?

Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominica, East Africa, Ethiopia, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Tanzania, United States

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

Status: The fruit are important in Natal province in January and February. It is a cultivated food plant.

Growing Natal plum, Large num-num, Carissa

Cultivation: The plant can be grown from seed or cuttings. They can also be grown using layering or budding. Cuttings need to be put in soil with bottom heat to produce roots. To maintain good quality fruit, vegetative methods are best. Plants with shrubby growth habit normally are more productive than straggly types. Regular pruning helps increase fruit production by avoiding excessive branch growth. For use in hedges, plants are grown in nurseries then planted out 30 cm apart in staggered rows.

Edible Uses: The partly ripe fruits are used for jelly Fully ripe fruit are used in pies or eaten fresh. The seeds can be eaten. The fruit make good jam and chutney. They are used for juice. Fruit can be frozen, dried or bottled for later use.

Production: Plants grow rapidly under suitable conditions. Plants flower and fruit throughout most of the year. Most fruit occur in the summer months. A fruit weighs about 14 g.

Nutrition Info

Natal plum, Large num-num, Carissa Photos

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