Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 5414420

Natal Plum

Carissa macrocarpa

Also known as Amathungulu, Big Num-Num, Large Num-Num

Natal plum forms dense, sprawling evergreen thickets clad in glossy oval leaves and armed with formidable Y-shaped thorns. Starry white flowers bloom throughout much of the year, releasing a rich jasmine-like fragrance that attracts nocturnal moths and daytime pollinators alike. Crimson egg-shaped fruits follow the blossoms, serving as an important food source for birds and mammals that disperse the seeds.

EvergreenFragrantThorny
Natal Plum reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic
Predators
  • Vervet Monkeys
  • Frugivorous Birds
  • Bushbabies
ThreatsHabitat Loss, Invasive Species Competition
HabitatsCoastal Thickets, Sand Dunes, Subtropical Woodlands, Urban Hedges
Life span20–50 years
Classification
  1. OrderGentianales
  2. FamilyApocynaceae
  3. GenusCarissa
  4. SpeciesCarissa macrocarpa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Foliage and green fruit are toxic, sap irritates skin, and wild berries have dangerous look-alikes.
Why it is dangerous
Stems and green fruits release milky latex containing toxic cardiac glycosides that cause severe gastrointestinal distress if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by glossy dark oval leaves, fragrant five-petaled white flowers, and prominent Y-shaped dual spines along stems.
What to do
Wear thick garden gloves when pruning to protect against the sharp thorns and irritating milky sap.
Responsible observation
  • Pruning: Wear sturdy gloves to protect skin from milky latex and sharp fork-tipped spines.
  • Observation: Look for night-flying moths visiting the fragrant white flowers after dusk.
  • Gardening: Position along coastal property borders where salt spray kills sensitive hedges.
Related species
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