Natal Plum Fruit Plant (Carissa macrocarpa)

Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa)

Common Names: Natal plum, large num-num, Amathungulu, umThungulu oBomvu

General Characteristics:

Native: Natal, South Africa.

Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)

Type: Spiny evergreen, perennial shrub

Size: Typically a dense thorny shrub, can grow into a small tree up to 4 m high.

Flowers: Fragrant white flowers with numerous double-pronged thorns.

Fruits: Bright red outer skin and flesh, somewhat tapered, sweet and sour flavor, juicy consistency.

Nutritional Content:

Vitamins: A, and B, and extremely high in Vitamin C.

Minerals: Good amounts of iron and copper.

Health Benefits:

Iron and Copper: Prevents anemia, builds hemoglobin, prevents weakness, fatigue, depression, and dizziness.

Potassium: Regulates blood pressure, improves muscle function.

Culinary Uses:

Fresh Consumption: Eat raw.

Cooking: Can be cooked down to make jams, sauces, soup, chutney, and pie filling.

Latex: Contains an edible latex released when cooked.

Cultivation Information:

Bloom Time/Fruiting: 2 to 3 Years

Maintenance Required: Moderate