Carissa bispinosa (L.) Desf. ex Brenan

forest num-num

Afr

bosnoemnoem

isiZulu

isibethankunzi, isabetha

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Apocynaceae

Order:

Gentianales

Description

Evergreen dense shrub or small tree with twiggy branches and milky sap. Leaves simple, ovate, glossy dark green. Flowers small, white, fragrant. Fruits small, red, edible berries. Important for wildlife food and shelter.

Plant Details

Height

Up to 5 m

Thorns

Forked spines on branches.

Soil

Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils.

Moderate

Growth Rate

Up to 5 m

Size

30 - 50 years

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

, , , ,

Horticultural Zones

7-Jun

pH

Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils.

Soil

Full sun to partial shade

Aspect

Low

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Found in coastal forest thickets with other shrubs.

Caterpillars

Supports butterfly larvae.

Associations

Descriptions

Fruits eaten by birds and mammals; flowers attract bees and butterflies; provides shelter for small animals.

Flowers and fruits

Small fragrant flowers attract pollinators; fruits are edible berries dispersed by birds and mammals.

Birds

Important food source for frugivorous birds; provides shelter.

By Seeds:

Seeds collected from ripe fruits; sow fresh; germination moderate.

By Cuttings:

Semi-hardwood cuttings root moderately well.

Traditional Uses

Fruits edible; used medicinally for skin ailments; no known toxicity.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses