Plant Identification Learning Module:
Ornamentals

Natal Plum or Carissa (Carissa macrocarpa )

The Natal plum is a dense, broad evergreen shrub reaching a height of six to ten feet. The two to four inch, simpleopposite leaves are leathery in texture and dark green. Leaves have a milky sap. The stem has forked spines to two inches long. Flowers are solitary and star-shaped to two inches across. Flowers occur in spring and summer. The fruit of the Natal plum is an edible berry which is plum-shaped, red, and up to two inches long.


Natal plum plant
Forest & Kim Starr, Hear.org.

Foliage of Natal plum
UF/IFAS

Flower of Natal plum
Unripe fruit of Natal plum
David Lee, Biological Sciences, Florida International University