natal plum

NATAL PLUM(Carissa grandiflora)

Ma. Cristina F. CosteloBSA 4-1 (ANSC)

Natal plum (Carissa grandiflora)•Carissa grandiflora is one of Florida's and California's very best seaside shrubs . •Native to Latin America, the Caribbean and the Southeastern United States•this evergreen is tolerant to a variety of environmental conditions.•This moderately fast-growing, evergreen shrub has lustrous, leathery, rich green, oval leaves and spines along its branches.

•Flowers are somewhat fragrant, white, and star-shaped.

Description

• The fruits of the carissa (Carissa grandiflora) are oval or round and vary in size and shape.

• A typical fruit is approximately an inch in diameter and one and a half inches long.

• The skin of the fully ripe fruit is bright crimson streaked with darker red.

• The flesh is deep red or crimson with white mottling. In the center there are approximately twelve small brown flat seeds.

• The fresh fruit has a mild, slightly pungent flavor, is slightly granular in texture, and is somewhat astringent.

• When bruised, broken, or cut, the fruit and branches exude a white latex. This substance is harmless, except that it may be irritating if it comes in contact withthe eye.

Natal Plum - Nutritional And Health Benefits

• Vitamin C; in fact it has more Vitamin C than in an orange (100 grams of the natal Plum provides 63% of the daily requirement of this vitamin).

• has a good amounts of Iron and copper that not only prevents anemia and builds hemoglobin but also prevents weakness and fatigue, depression and dizziness.

• good amounts of potassium which regulate blood pressure and improves muscle function.

• It contains the heart friendly magnesium and is low in calories.

Uses

Bonsai; foundation; screen; border; mass planting; container or above-ground planter; fruit; espalier; ground cover; superior hedge; parking lot islands

Propagation• Seeds germinate in 2 weeks but the seedlings grow very

slowly at first and are highly variable. • Vegetative propagation is preferred and can be done easily

by air-layering, ground-layering, or shield-budding. • Cuttings root poorly unless the tip of a young branchlet is

cut half-way through and left attached to the plant for 2 months. After removal and planting in sand, it will root in about 30 days.

• Grafting onto seedlings of the karanda (q.v.) has considerably increased fruit yield.

• Seedlings may begin to produce fruit in 2 years; cuttings earlier.

Care and maintenance• The shrubs need afternoon shade in well-drained soil. Avoid

growing Carissa shrubs near walkways and outdoor seating, where they can cause injuries with their thick, forked thorns.

• keep it away from areas where children play because all parts of the plant, except the fully ripe berries, are poisonous.

• Carissa plants are ideal for seaside planting because they shrug off strong winds and tolerate both salty soil and salt spray. This makes them ideal for seaside conditions.

• They also perform well in containers on seaside decks and balconies. Upright types are popular as hedge plants, and sprawling types make good ground covers.

• Carissa shrubs grow in most any soil, but they prefer sandy sites.• Carissa shrubs need only moderate water and fertilizer.

Product Utilization

jamJelly

Brownies

great cordial (left), exotic liqueur (right).

Refference

• http://www.growables.org/information/TropicalFruit/carissa.htm

• http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/carissa/growing-carissa-shrubs.htm

• http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ecoph20.htm• http://hubpages.com/health/Natal-Plum-The-

Nutritional-Secrets-of-this-Tropical-Fruit