Carissa bispinosa

Carissa bispinosa
Carissa bispinosa

Common names: forest num-num (English); isibethankunzi, isabetha (Zulu); bosnoemnoem (Afrikaans). 
Botanical name: Carissa bispinosa

Carissa bispinosa, or forest num-num, is a versatile and attractive evergreen shrub that produces fragrant, white flowers and edible, red berries. It is a valuable plant for wildlife, attracting birds, insects, butterflies and monkeys. It also has various traditional uses, such as treating toothache, making jams and jellies, and enhancing the courage of warriors. It is easy to grow and can be used as a hedge, a border, or a focal point in the garden. It thrives in sunny or semi-shaded areas, in well-drained soil with compost. It is wind-resistant, drought-tolerant, and frost-tender4.

Uses & Benefits: aromatic, flavouring, food, hedge, wind tolerant


Nature & Cultivation

Family: Apocynaceae
Type: shrub
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Flower colour: white
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Plant-animal interactions: birds, butterflies
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Use as Medicine

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