Carissa macrocarpa

Carissa macrocarpa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Carissa
Species:
C. macrocarpa
Binomial name
Carissa macrocarpa
Synonyms

Carissa grandiflora (E.Mey.) A.DC.

Carissa, (natal-plum), raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy259 kJ (62 kcal)
13.63 g
1.3 g
0.5 g
Vitamins and minerals
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
Thiamine (B1)
3%
0.04 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
5%
0.06 mg
Niacin (B3)
1%
0.2 mg
Vitamin C
42%
38 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
1%
11 mg
Iron
7%
1.31 mg
Magnesium
4%
16 mg
Phosphorus
1%
7 mg
Potassium
9%
260 mg
Sodium
0%
3 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Water84.17 g
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[2] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[3]

Carissa macrocarpa is a shrub native to tropical and southern Africa. It is commonly known as the Natal plum and, in South Africa, the large num-num. In Zulu, as well as in the Bantu tribes of Uganda, it is called Amathungulu or umThungulu oBomvu. In Afrikaans the fruit is called noem-noem and in Venda language it is called'Thungulu'.

C. macrocarpa deals well with salt-laden winds, making it a good choice for coastal areas. It is commonly found in the coastal bush of the Eastern Cape and Natal.[4] It produces shiny, deep green leaves and snowy white flowers whose perfumed scent intensifies at night. Like other Carissa species, C. macrocarpa is a spiny, evergreen shrub containing latex. They bloom for months at a time. The ornamental plump, round, crimson fruit appears in summer and fall (autumn) at the same time as the blooms. In moderate, coastal areas the fruits appear through the year. The fruit can be eaten out of hand or made into pies, jams, jellies, and sauces.[4] Some claim that other than the fruit, the plant is poisonous.[5] However, this claim is a myth, possibly based on similarities to other plants with milky sap.[6] The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at University of California, Davis rates the plant as mildly toxic.[7] It appears in the South African National tree list as number 640.3.

A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[8]

  1. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Carissa macrocarpa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T149504239A149504241. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T149504239A149504241.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  4. ^ a b Sparrow, Jacqueline and Gil Hanly. (2002), Subtropical Plants: A Practical Gardening Guide, Portland, OR: Timber Press, Inc.
  5. ^ "Carissa macrocarpa Plant Profile". Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  6. ^ "Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC". University of Pretoria. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  7. ^ Resources, University of California Agriculture and Natural. "Toxic Plants". ucanr.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).