The Natal plum is a shrub native to Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southeastern United States. It is tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions and produces white, fragrant flowers and red, edible fruits. The fruits contain vitamin C and nutrients like iron, potassium, and magnesium. Natal plums can be used for landscaping, grown as a hedge or ground cover, and their fruits can be made into jam, jelly, or used in baked goods and drinks. They prefer well-drained soil and afternoon shade.

1. NATAL PLUM
(Carissa grandiflora)
Ma. Cristina F. Costelo
BSA 4-1 (ANSC)

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Product Utilization
jam
Jelly
Brownies
great cordial (left), exotic liqueur (right).

9. Refference
• http://www.growables.org/information/Tropic
alFruit/carissa.htm
• http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/orname
ntal/shrubs/carissa/growing-carissa-
shrubs.htm
• http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ecoph20.ht
m
• http://hubpages.com/health/Natal-Plum-The-
Nutritional-Secrets-of-this-Tropical-Fruit