Tree - Carissa macrocarpa: English: Natal Plum, Big num-num. Afrikaans: Grootnoem-noem. Zulu: Amatungulu
Natural protection on the boundary of homes down here on the coast, namely the Natal plum, evergreen with a glossy rounded leaf in deep green, beautiful white flowers from early spring into summer, offering fruit num-num.
Around my garden today the Natal Plum is in flower (Summer down South), to the right of the white flowers you will notice the green fruit starting to appear, yes I watch these grow closely, it is a race between the Vervet Monkey and myself, as to who will eat when ripened!
Shrub or tree, personally it is over 1 meter in height, so for me it is a tree, planted along boundary walls with the thorns it carries it should put off any would be wall jumpers, If planted a meter apart they make a great choice for protection.
Maximum height they grow is 4 meters, grow relatively fast, don't mind being trimmed, making them ideal for hedging, good wind-break, Oh did I mention they don't need much watering or attention.
Living coastal this tree enjoy sandy soil, sun or semi-shaded areas, offering a delicous large red fruit which is edible (enjoyed straight off the tree). Made into jams, preserves, cordials, chutney when you collect enough (this beautiful ruby red coloured fruit is not available in stores).
Fruit exudes a white sticky latex on slicing, is high in pectin, when cooking find a low pectin fruit to help it set, like strawberries.
Num-num fruit is high in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, what is not to like? For me it is a nifty little tree to place into the garden.
Pretty starry white flowers with a soft orange fragrance, inviting butterflies and birds into the garden, birds will nest within the hedge protected by the Y-shaped thorns throughout the tree offering protection, is a water-wise solution.
Having hedging may be the answer to adding protection, good windbreak, offers evergreen tree all year round, with beautiful flowers through summer followed by bright red fruits to use. Working with nature works better than affording expensive walls we have learned over the past couple of years.
Thought for today: A man does not run among thorns for no reason; either he is chasing a snake or a snake is chasing him. ~ African proverb
Tree Tuesday - my contibution to @old-guy-photos
All photography is my own (please ask permission if you wish to use any of my photography)
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@joanstewart - are these the same as what we know as the Kei Apple? We have a couple that have just sprung up in the garden - similar flower, but none have fruited - to small and, I think, because of the drought. I want to plant a lot of them along one of our streetside fences to stop the kids (not monkeys) pinching our fruit. Not that I begrudge them, really, I did it as a kid, but don't let me catch them! LOL
Always safest to ask the locals or at a nursery, don't want to go eating fruit you not sure of @fionasfavourites
Ohhhh, the flower kinda looks familiar but the one I'm thinking of doesn't have fruits, definitely not red ones like that - they sound tasty too! Easy, not-too-much-trouble plants/trees are my favourite! :)
Love your 'Thought for Today'! :))
For when you get older!I enjoy them, my taste tends to enjoy sour or unusual rather than sweet @ackhoo, always looking for plants that serve a purpose with little upkeep....
Glad you enjoyed the thought, made me have a laugh!
"For when you get older!" - so true.... :)
Does the name mean anything in Zulu?
No the Zulu name relates directly back to the tree.
Beautiful photographs of tree my friend.. awesome photographs. thanks for share with us..
Finding out what you can grow locally, possibly supplying additional food into the house always a bonus!
Lovely to have a plant that not only serves a good purpose for landscaping but also for some yummy fruit! I hope the monkey shares some with you!
Watching the berries ripen, with a beady eye on those monkeys too....
These plants are completely unknown to me, although the fruits of plums are similar to those plums that grow in our country. But the flower looks like a Magnolia.
Fruit is not very large, red flesh similar to plums. Flowers are very pretty, flowering for at least five months of the year.
Five months a year? I'm surprised. In Russia, everything blooms quickly and once a year. In spring the trees bloom for about 2-3 weeks...You live in paradise climate)
The white flower is very similar to ones found in Thailand
Never visited your beautiful land, interesting to learn how similar some flowers are.
Nature Is Beautiful!
I had no idea there was a something called, "Num-num fruit" and I think that's awesome! We are always referring to things being "nummy" (aka, delicious) and I just love that there's something actually called num num...LOL! Excellent pictures too, @joanstewart - thanks so much for sharing this!
Also thought is a fun descriptive name for this little tree, thanks for enjoying the article wish you could share the taste (if you like sour/tart tasting things like I do @traciyork).
That would be wicked cool if I could. Funny thing - I used to LOVE sour/tart things. Then around the time I started having kids, I realized I couldn't stand the taste. Now that my three are all adults, I'm discovering I'm enjoying sour stuff again. Go figure! 😜
Trees are the best
I really like trees
Powerful one thanks
City - trees can only be seen in sidewalks and parks, replaced by cement, the sorrow of modern people
It seems this nursery has nice collection of fruits as well as flower plants. Crotons are beautiful.
Great looking trees for the garden and the fruit looks like a great bonus.
Great looking trees for
The garden and the fruit looks
Like a great bonus.
- richard78624
I'm a bot. I detect haiku.
Beautiful pgarden...it looks likes and paceful place!!....
Nice post. Deforestation in Africa is an issue worth taking about as well.
Maybe has a good perfume too
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