What is a natal plum?
Natal Plum is a species known as macrocarpa, which belongs to the genus Carissa and the family Apocynaceae. This plant, which is originally from South Africa, is an evergreen, thorny shrub that carries fine pink or white flowers and fleshy red fruit. Although the fruit itself is edible, the rest of the plant is considered to be poisonous if it is consumed. In addition, twigs contain a milk sap that can irritate the skin when contact. Natal plums grown in the wild can reach heights of 20 feet (6.1 m), but cultivated plants are generally smaller, usually grow between 2 and 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m) in height. Their dark green leaves are glossy, leather and oval. Flowers, which are particularly fragrant at night, are small, wax and star -shaped.
Two of the most respected features Natal Plum are its fruit and thorns. Thony can reach a length of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) and can evolve along the branches or at the ends of the twigs. Plum -like appearance are the fruit in fact a large berries thatThey can reach a length of about 2 inches (5.1 cm). These berries are dark red in a shade and carry a distinctive taste, similar to cranberries. In many areas, Natal Plum will bloom for almost a year; However, the fruit usually does not appear until the plant is about two years old.
He considered the traditional food race in his native South Africa, Natal Plum is an important commercial plant. In southern Natal, the fruits of these plants are sold in large quantities from January to February. Despite this, the Natal plum is not usually grown as a crop or a set, but instead gather from hedges and ornaments scattered in South Africa.
widels considered a relatively strong plant, native plums can be grown in different conditions. Despite this, it grows best in bright sunlight, in moderate heat and with lots of moisture. These plants also prefer well drained, sandy soil and close pruning. Although it lasts a lot of abuse, this plant has several weaknessesthe pages. For example, it cannot tolerate extreme cold or frost and is susceptible to fungal and coating solutions.