Tropical Plant "Natal plum"
Carissa macrocarpa

Characteristics - The Natal plum is an exotic fruit bearer, originally from the southern part of the African continent, that is occasionally cultivated in the southeastern part of the country as an ornamental, rarely as a fruit tree. It is a large shriub or a small tree, lactiferous, with a deciduous, compact crown, bifurcated thorns, 2-4 m tall. Leaves coriaceous, 3-8 cm long, always dark green. Flowers are androgynous, generally solitary and fragrant, forming almost all year long. Fruits globose or ellipsoid berries, ripen mainly in the summer; the pulp is lactiferous and succulent, with few seeds, a somewhat acidic to lightly sweet flavor, not too pleasant.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in natura or in the form of jellies, juices and ice creams.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds or by stem cuttings, a slow growing plant.