Natal Plum (Honey bee plants of Hawaii, United States)

Natal Plum

Carissa macrocarpa

Summary ³

Pollen: 0
Nectar:Minor
Pollinator unknown

The ripe fruits of this large shrub, which is native to South Africa, are used for making jelly and sauce. Flowers are bisexual…Artifical cross-pollination gave increased fruit yields from the latter cultivar, but otherwise yields tend to be poor, particularly for shrubs planted in isolation. Few insects visited the flwoers (although they are fragrant), and pollinating agents have not been identified. Many flowers contain thrips, and honeybees ocassionally collected nectar, but usually only after the corolla tube had fallen off...(Crane, E., & Walker, P. (1984). Pollination Directory for World Crops)

The natal plum is characterized by its long, sharp thorns, its fragrant, starlike, white flowers, and is bright red fruits, which shine conspicuously among the leaves. Long, needle-like thorns fork out in vicious pairs where the branches divide. They make the plant practically impenetrable, and for this reason it is sometimes used for hedges. The small, tubular, white flowers are extremely fragrant and have five waxy petals. The fruit, when ripe, are a bright pinkish red about two inches long. They make an excellent jelly. The leaves are dense, small, thick, leathery, and bluntly pointed. They were evidently designed to withstand dryness, and the plant will grow under very dry conditions. It will attain the size of small tree or can be kept trimmed into a shrub or even a formal hedge. (Kuck, L. E., & Tongg, R. C. (1965). Hawaiian flowers & flowering trees)

Sources and Credits

More Info

iNat Map

‹ › ×

Natal Plum

Summary 3

Sources and Credits

More Info

iNat Map

Copy guide taxon to...

Summary ³