Carissa macrocarpa is a shrub native to South Africa. It is commonly known as the Natal plum and, in South Africa, the large num-num. It can be found on sand dunes and on the edges of coastal forests and widely used as an ornamental.
Natal Plum is a member of the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae), which includes oleander and periwinkle. It is not related to true Plums, which are members of the Rose family. It is grown as an ornamental plant, barrier hedge, and for edible fruit. The fruit can be used raw in salads or cooked into jams and pies. Prostrate varieties are useful as erosion control on mild slopes. A former scientific name is Carissa grandiflora. The most common cultivars sold in nurseries are low shrubs and groundcover plants, both with small thorns.
