Carissa macrocarpa
| Natal Plum | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Carissa |
| Species: | C. macrocarpa |
| Binomial name | |
|
Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Carissa grandiflora (E.Mey.) A.DC. |
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| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 259 kJ (62 kcal) |
|
13.63 g
|
|
|
1.3 g
|
|
|
0.5 g
|
|
| Vitamins | |
| Thiamine (B1) |
(3%)
0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(5%)
0.06 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(1%)
0.2 mg |
| Vitamin C |
(46%)
38 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(1%)
11 mg |
| Iron |
(10%)
1.31 mg |
| Magnesium |
(5%)
16 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(1%)
7 mg |
| Potassium |
(6%)
260 mg |
| Sodium |
(0%)
3 mg |
| Other constituents | |
| Water | 84.17 g |
|
|
|
|
|
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
|
Carissa grandiflora (E.Mey.) A.DC.
Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum), is a shrub native to South Africa, where it is commonly called the Large Num-Num. In Zulu, as well as in the Bantu tribes of Uganda, it is called Amathungulu or umThungulu oBomvu. In Afrikaans the fruit is called Noem-Noem.
C. macrocarpa deals well with salt-laden winds, making it a good choice for coastal areas. It is commonly found in the coastal bush of the Eastern Cape and Natal. It produces shiny, deep green leaves and snowy white flowers whose perfumed scent intensifies at night. Like other Carissa species, C. macrocarpa is a spiny, evergreen shrub containing latex. They bloom for months at a time. The ornamental plump, round, crimson fruit appears in summer and fall (autumn) at the same time as the blooms. In moderate, coastal areas the fruits appear through the year. The fruit can be eaten out of hand or made into pies, jams, jellies, and sauces. Some claim that other than the fruit, the plant is poisonous. However this claim is a myth, possibly based on similarities to other plants with milky sap. The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at University of California, Davis rates the plant as mildly toxic. It appears in the South African National tree list as number 640.3.
A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.
Carissa macrocarpa grows mainly in coastal areas in South Africa. It can be found on sand dunes and on the edges of coastal forests in Eastern Cape Province northwards from Natal to Mozambique. Today the plant is also growing commonly in southern Florida and is cultivated in southern California.
Carissa macrocarpa is quite easy to grow. Its seeds germinate 2 to 4 weeks after sowing. The development of the seedlings is very slow at first. Plants cultivated from seeds are bearing fruits within the first 2 years. A vegetative propagation is possible and preferred. The most efficient method consists of notching young branchlets by cutting them halfway through. Then they are bent downwards and allowed to hang limply. After the young branchlets have built a callus, in approximately 2 months, the cutting has to be removed from the parent and planted in sand under moderate shade. Roots form within one month. Carissa macrocarpa will produce fruits within the first 2 years applying this reproduction method.
The maintenance of Carissa macrocarpa is simple. The plant is indigenous and does not need fertiliser.
In the homeland of Carissa macrocarpa night-flying insects pollinates the white, bisexual flowers. Out of its origin area unfruitfulness has been attributed to inadequate pollination. However, hand pollination is possible and in future poor pollination could be avoided by cultivation of floral structures that are highly favourable for self-fertilization.
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Wikipedia