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Num Num
Carissa macrocarpa
SA tree no: 640.3
English: Num Num, Natal Plum, Big Num-num, Amatungulu, Large Num-num, Coastal Num-num
Afrikaans: Noem-noem, Grootnoemnoem, Grootnoem-noem, Njem-njem, Natalse Pruim
Xhosa: Amatungulu
Zulu: Amatungulu, Umthungulu
Historical scientific names: Arduina macrocarpa, Carissa grandiflora
Carissa macrocarpa, commonly known as Big Num-num or Amatungulu, is a prominent indigenous evergreen shrub or small tree. It is highly valued for its striking, large, forked thorns, glossy dark green, leathery leaves, fragrant white flowers, and large, edible, bright red fruits that are a delicious treat and a magnet for birds. It is particularly well-suited to coastal and subtropical gardens.
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Distinguishing features:
Large, distinctive, hard, Y-shaped or twice-forked thorns, typically 2.5-6 cm long.
Thick, leathery, dark green, glossy leaves, often rounded or broadly oval.
Large, pure white, star-shaped, intensely fragrant flowers, especially at night.
Large, oval to rounded, shiny bright red fruits (often with a "nip" or point at the apex) that are delicious and edible.
Exudes a milky latex when broken.
Overall appearance:
The Big Num-num (Carissa macrocarpa) is a dense, often spreading evergreen shrub or small tree, giving a lush, tropical feel. It is easily recognised by its robust, glossy, dark green leaves and formidable Y-shaped thorns. The plant truly shines when adorned with its large, star-shaped, intensely fragrant white flowers, followed by abundant, juicy, bright red fruits, which are a visual delight and a culinary treat.
Height:
Typically grows 2 to 5 metres tall, but can occasionally reach up to 10 metres in ideal, sheltered forest conditions.
Width:
Can spread to a width of 2 to 5 metres, forming a dense, rounded, and often impenetrable mass.
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite, simple, broadly ovate to almost round, thick, rigid, and leathery. They are typically 2.5-7 cm long and 1.5-5 cm wide, with a glossy dark green upper surface and a paler underside. The margins are entire (smooth) and often rolled under. The apex is usually rounded or may have a small, sharp point. Leaves are persistent and remain on the plant year-round.
Flowers:
The flowers are large (about 3-5 cm in diameter), showy, star-shaped, with five pure white petals. They are intensely fragrant, especially during the evening, and are borne singly or in small clusters at the ends of branches. Carissa macrocarpa flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
It has an extended flowering season, primarily from spring to summer (around September to March), but can flower sporadically throughout the year, especially in warm, moist conditions.
Fruits:
The fruit is a large, ovoid or ellipsoid berry, typically 3-6 cm long and 2-4.5 cm wide. It ripens from green to a shiny bright red, often with a pointed apex (a "nip"). The fruit is fleshy and juicy, containing several seeds. It is produced in large quantities and is highly edible for humans.
Seeds:
The fruits contain several (typically 2-8) flattened, light brown seeds embedded in the juicy red pulp. Seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals that consume the fruit.
Bark/Stems:
The bark on older stems is greyish and can be somewhat rough. Young stems are green and relatively stout. The branches are often much-branched and display a repeated forked pattern where the thorns emerge. All parts of the plant, when broken, exude a milky white latex.
horns:
Present and very distinctive. Hard, stout, woody, Y-shaped or twice-forked thorns are borne in neat pairs across the stems, typically 2.5-6 cm long. These thorns are a key identification feature and provide excellent security.
Wood:
The wood is hard and durable, but due to its shrubby nature, it is not typically harvested for timber.
Roots:
It has a strong, non-aggressive, fibrous root system. This makes it suitable for planting closer to structures and contributes to its stability and drought tolerance.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained soils, including sandy loams and coastal sands. It is highly tolerant of saline (salty) conditions, making it ideal for coastal areas. It is adaptable to various soil pH levels.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade. It is highly drought-resistant once established and exceptionally tolerant of strong winds, including salt-laden coastal breezes. It is sensitive to severe frost, preferring frost-free or very mild-frost climates, though established plants can recover from light frost damage.
Ediblity:
The ripe red fruits are highly edible and delicious for humans. They have a sweet-tart flavour and a texture similar to a plum or strawberry. They are widely consumed fresh, and also used to make jams, jellies, pies, sauces, and juice.
Toxicity:
While the ripe fruits are edible and widely consumed, like other plants in the Apocynaceae family (which includes many toxic species), it's important to note that the white milky latex found in other parts of the plant (stems, leaves) is irritating and should not be ingested.
Uses:
An exceptionally popular and versatile ornamental plant for gardens, especially in coastal and subtropical regions. It is widely used as an impenetrable security hedge or barrier due to its formidable thorns. It is ideal as a screening plant, a background shrub, a specimen plant, or for shaping into topiary. Its hardiness, drought tolerance, and salt tolerance make it perfect for coastal landscaping. It attracts a wide range of wildlife and provides delicious edible fruits for humans.
Ecology:
The large, intensely fragrant white flowers attract nocturnal pollinators such as moths, as well as various daytime insects like bees and butterflies. The abundant, bright red, edible fruits are a major food source for numerous bird species, including turacos (loeries), barbets, bulbuls, starlings, and many others, which are crucial for seed dispersal. The dense, thorny growth provides excellent protective cover and safe nesting sites for birds and other small wildlife, deterring predators. It is a larval host plant for certain butterfly species.
Distribution and habitat:
Carissa macrocarpa is indigenous to the coastal regions of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa, extending northwards into Mozambique. It typically grows in coastal dunes, coastal bush, forest margins, and riverine thickets, often in sandy soils exposed to sea spray.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Carissa is derived from the Indian name for plants of this genus.
The species epithet macrocarpa comes from Greek, meaning "large-fruited" (from "macros" = large, and "karpos" = fruit), aptly describing its prominent, large berries, which distinguish it from Carissa bispinosa (small-fruited).
The common name "Num-num" is thought to be either of Khoisan origin or an example of onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of pleasure when tasting the juicy fruit. "Natal Plum" refers to its origin in the former Natal region and its plum-like fruit. "Amatungulu" is a common Zulu name for the fruit.
Historical aspects:
The Big Num-num has been a significant indigenous plant for centuries, particularly in coastal communities. Its delicious and abundant fruits have been harvested by local people for generations, and its thorny nature provided natural protection. It has been cultivated in gardens globally since the 19th century, valued for its ornamental appeal, hardiness, and edible fruit. Its resilience and adaptability to challenging coastal conditions have made it a staple in landscaping projects in South Africa and beyond.
Interesting facts:
This plant is famous for its delicious, bright red fruit that tastes a bit like a juicy plum or strawberry – it's a real treat, especially straight from the bush!
It's called "Big Num-num" because its fruits are much larger than its cousin, the "Forest Num-num."
Don't let its delicious fruit fool you, it has seriously sharp, Y-shaped thorns that make it a fantastic natural security hedge – no one's getting through that easily!
Its beautiful white flowers smell absolutely amazing, especially in the evening, making it a great plant to have near your patio.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seed, which germinates readily. Can also be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings.
Planting: Prefers full sun for optimal growth and fruit production, but tolerates light shade. Plant in well-drained soil; it is highly adaptable to coastal sands and general garden soils.
Watering: Water regularly during its establishment phase (first year). Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and needs minimal watering.
Frost Protection: Sensitive to severe frost. Best grown in frost-free or very mild-frost climates. Protect young plants in colder areas.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Prune to shape or to encourage a denser hedge. It responds well to pruning and can be shaped into formal hedges or even topiary.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Apocynaceae (Greek plant name) - Order: Gentianales