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Carissa tetramera

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows up to 3 m high. The spines are usually forked and 5 cm long. The leaves are 4.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. They are rounded at the base and also often at the tip. They are more pale underneath. The flower clusters are rather small. The fruit are round and 1 cm across. They are purplish-black and have 4 or 5 seeds.

There about 20-37 Carissa species. All Carissa species bear edible fruit. They grow in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry open woodland. It grows in coastal areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw and also used for a drink.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Muleo, Mtandamboo, Murungulu, Nvuje-ya-tsi

Synonyms

Arduina tetramera Sacleux;