Carissa edulis SEEDS

Carissa edulis seeds grow into the simple-spined carissa or num-num a spiny, spreading shrub native to the seasonally dry tropical and subtropical biome of tropical and East Africa, from Ethiopia and Eritrea south through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and into South Africa; also extends to the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen. Described by (Forssk.) Vahl (Forsskl described it; Martin Henrichsen Vahl established the current combination). The epithet edulis means ‘edible’, referring to the sweet, ripe berries that are an important food source in many parts of Africa. Produces fragrant, white star-shaped flowers; small, sweet, red to black berries when ripe. An important medicinal plant across its African range; leaves used as fodder. Family Apocynaceae.

Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils; warm subtropical to tropical conditions; drought-tolerant. Edible berries. Good hedge shrub for warm-climate gardens.

• ‘Edulis’ = edible (sweet ripe berries); (Forssk.) Vahl; fragrant white star flowers; red to black ripe berries; forage
• Edible sweet berries; important medicine plant; leaves used as livestock fodder; hedge plant
• Ethiopia and Arabia to South Africa seasonally dry tropical/subtropical biome; wide African range
• Genus Carissa: ~35 species; Old World Tropics; Family Apocynaceae; Order Gentianales
• Full sun/partial shade; well-drained soils; drought-tolerant; warm tropical/subtropical; edible berries; Apocynaceae

Carissa edulis the num-num or simple-spined carissa is one of East and southern Africa’s most widespread wild fruit shrubs, its edible sweet-ripe berries providing an important food source for both people and wildlife across the continent, while the fragrant white flowers, dense spiny growth and drought tolerance make it a valuable ornamental and hedge plant for warm-climate gardens worldwide.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.