Natal plum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• amathungulu
• Natal-plum
• Amantungula Numnum
• Amantungulu
• Big Numnum
• Large Num-num
• Natal Plum
• Num-num

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Carissa grandiflora
• Carissa praetermissa
• Carissa africana
• Jasminonerium macrocarpum
• Arduina macrocarpa
• Jasminonerium africanum
• Arduina grandiflora

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is further categorized into the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Carissa, specifically the species Carissa macrocarpa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its presence extends to East Tropical Africa, specifically located in Kenya. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout South Tropical Africa. This southern range includes significant populations in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carissa macrocarpa is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying landscapes, frequently inhabiting anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), where it often integrates into human-modified environments. This presence in disturbed or managed habitats suggests a resilient ecological nature capable of colonizing sites shaped by human activity while maintaining its physiological functions across diverse elevations.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Carissa macrocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring long-term survival and persistence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on woody stems that extend well above the ground level, providing a robust structural framework for its growth. This plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year without shedding all its leaves seasonally, which allows for continuous metabolic activity. Furthermore, its classification as a nanophanerophyte highlights its specific growth habit where the woody stems are relatively short, contributing to a compact yet enduring life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carissa macrocarpa is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. It is a terrestrial, independent plant that does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or vine, typically reaching a maximum height of 4 m, with an average height of 4 m and a minimum height of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carissa macrocarpa is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 5 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 4.5 cm, resulting in a mean width of 3.5 cm. These dimensions suggest a robust leaf structure capable of efficient light interception and gas exchange. Furthermore, from a biochemical and nutritional standpoint, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carissa macrocarpa is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that play a critical role in its dispersal cycle. The morphological variability of these fruits is notable, with measured fruit lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. On average, the fruit length maintains a mean value of 3.5 cm, providing a consistent physical profile for seed distribution. This fruit development follows the successful pollination of its blossoms, ultimately resulting in these fleshy structures that serve as the primary vessel for the plant's progeny.

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.5 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Carissa macrocarpa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Carissa macrocarpa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include vitamin C.

vitamin C

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Carissa macrocarpa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)