Natal plum (Carissa)

-

 Natal plum a Specie of Carissa. 


Common name.

  • Large num num
  • Carissa
  • Amatungulu

Botanical name:

Carissa macrocarpa

Scientific classification:

Genus:  Carissa - Carissa

Family:  Apocynaceae - Dogbane

Order:  Gentianales - Gentians, dogbanes, madders, and allies

Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons, Dicots, Eudicots

Phylum:  Tracheophyta - Vascular plants, Seed plants, Ferns, Tracheophytes

Characteristics:

Plant Type: Tree

Lifespan: Perennial

Bloom Time: Spring

Plant Height: 6 to 15 feet

Spread: 3 feet

Flower Size: 1 to 2 inches

Habitat: Sand dunes, edges of coastal forests

Flower Color:  White

Leaf Color: Green

Fruit Color: Red, Purple, Green

Stem Color: Green

Fertilization:

"Fertilization once every 2-3 months during the growing season" 

Information:

    Almost all parts of the natal plum are poisonous, except for the fruit, which is red when ripe and very tasty. It's a hardy plant in the same family as the oleander, and its thorns make it a good choice for barrier hedges.

The white flowers are fragrant and bloom over two seasons.

Natal plum:

Carissa macrocarpa is called Natal Plum because it is native to the Natal area of ​​South Africa heading north to Mozambique.

Interesting Facts:

  • Natal plum, a traditional fruit in Africa, is being studied for its potential use to provide economic stability, support the economy and empower women's groups in the region.
  • To improve rural development, provide nutrition and discover more sustainable food sources, the fruit of the natal plum is often used to make jam, sauces and desserts.

Difficulty Rating:

 Plum is super easy to care for and resistant to almost all pests and diseases.

It's a perfect option for brown-fingered gardeners.

Water requirement:

Natal plum is known for its drought tolerance and does not require a lot of water.

 Never water this plant when the soil feels damp. Canned natal plums generally require more water.

 When the soil is completely dry, place the pot in a shallow pan of water where it can soak up all the water it needs through the drainage holes

Garden Use:

The most useful quality of the Natal plum for gardeners is its sturdy, prickly, evergreen leaves and branches.

This makes it a great choice for privacy screens or hedges where it looks dense and finely textured.

Its flowers and fruits also provide visual interest.

It is often planted alongside Vinca, Petunia and Bottlebrush.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chayote

-
Image
  Chayote a species of Sechium Common Name Kajot Choke Merliton Pepanica Vegetable pear Botanical Name Sechium edule Information Chayote is an edible squash in the gourd family that has long been cultivated for food in Latin America. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and it has a slightly sweet taste that has been compared to that of cucumber. Characteristics Plant Type Herb, Vine Lifespan Perennial, Annual Bloom Time Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall Plant Height 39 feet Spread 1.6 foot Habitat Moist, steep hillsides Flower Color WhiteGreenYellow Leaf Color Green Fruit Color GreenWhite Conditions Requirement Difficulty Rating Chayote is super easy to take care of, with resistance to almost all pests and diseases. It is a perfect option for gardeners with brown thumbs. Sunlight Full sun, Partial sun Hardiness Zones 9 to 12 Soil Sand, Loam, Clay, Slightly acidic, Neutral, Slightly alkaline Care Guide Planting Time Mid spring, Late spring Harvest Time Mid fall, Late fall Propagation Sow...
Read more

Paradise Apple

-
Image
  Paradise Apple a Species of Malus Common Name: Apple  Malus Saib Botanical Name: Malus pumila Name Story: Paradise apple: In the past, all foreign fruits including nuts were called apple. After the widespread of the story of Adam and Eve, the name, Apple was then solely referred to Malus pumila. In mythology, this plant was also believed to exist only in heaven which meant that Adam and Eve had stolen the forbidden fruit. So, it was always called Paradise apple. Information: Paradise apple is the most widely cultivated tree fruit around the globe. The three top apple-producing countries are China, the United States, and Poland with an economic impact of $3.55 billion in 2017. There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples throughout the world. Scientific classification: Genus: Malus - Malus Family: Rosaceae - Rose Order: Rosales - Roses, elms, figs, and allies Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons, Dicots, Eudicots Phylum: Tracheophyta - Vascular plants, Seed plants, Fer...
Read more

Mariola

-
Image
  Mariola a Species of Feverfews Common Name Mariola Fever plant Botanical Name Parthenium incanum Information Mariola (Parthenium incanum) is a small, many-branched shrub from the desert regions of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Its tiny flowerheads form compact white balls in spring and summer. Characteristics Plant Type Herb Lifespan Perennial Bloom Time Spring, Summer, Fall Plant Height 1.5 to 3 feet Spread 1.5 to 3 feet Flower Size Inflorescence 0.3 inch Habitat Desert grasslands, dry, gravelly slopes and plains Flower Color White Conditions Requirement Sunlight Full sun Scientific classification Genus Parthenium - Feverfews Family Asteraceae - Daisy, Compositae, Aster, Composite, Sunflower Order Asterales - Asters bellflowers fanflowers and allies Class Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons, Dicots, Eudicots Phylum Tracheophyta - Vascular plants, Seed plants, Ferns, Tracheophytes..
Read more