Simple spined num-num - Carissa edulis

Description and Uses

Carissa edulis (Simple spined num-num) is a tropical shrub from East Africa. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (short shelflife), The crop is harvested by hand picking. After 100 years the shrub can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Carissa edulis has a lifespan of 200 years.

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Environmental limitations

The shrub is 5 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Carissa edulis has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The shrub`s flower-morphology is bi-sexual and is pollinated by insects.

Carissa edulis thrives in an altitude of 1000 to 2000 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 0°C and optimally between 19 - 30°C. The optimal rainfall is 2050 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 1000 - 2100 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of loam.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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