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Carissa haematocarpa
Also called Karoo Numnum, Large Num Num
Karoo num-num is a densely branched, spiny shrub or small tree native to the dry savannas and Karoo of southern Namibia and South Africa's Cape. It is extremely drought tolerant and grows slowly, so it suits dry, sunny gardens and natural hedges.
Carissa haematocarpa is a plant species in the form of a densely branched, spiny shrub or small tree, commonly known as Karoo num-num or Karoo noem-noem. This species is endemic to the dry savanna regions of southern Africa, including southern Namibia and the Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Carissa haematocarpa can be propagated generatively by seed or vegetatively through stem cuttings. Growth is relatively slow; seed-grown plants typically require several years before flowering and fruiting. The species is highly tolerant of drought and unfavorable environmental conditions. Due to its dense growth and strong spines, it is often used as a natural living fence in dry regions.
This species occurs in southern Africa, from southern Namibia to the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa, including the arid Karoo and semi-Karoo regions. Its primary habitats include:
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Carissa haematocarpa by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
