How to grow Amatungulu

Carissa macrocarpa

Plant one metre apart to form a dense, impenetrable hedge in full sun to semi-shade in good garden soil, enriched with compost2. It can be pruned if necessary. It is best grown from seed, but can also be grown from cuttings2. Coming from coastal areas, this plant is frost tender, but can survive a little frost (-5°C) if planted in a protected spot12.

Quite tolerant of salty soils1. Can grow well in any soil type (limestone, heavy clay, sand), so long as it drains well1. It requires moderate watering but is drought-resistant1.

The most efficient method of propagation by “cutting” consists of notching young branchlets by cutting them halfway through1. Then they are bent downwards and allowed to hang limply. After the young branchlets have built a callus, in approximately 2 months, the cutting has to be removed from the parent and planted in sand under moderate shade1. Roots form within one month1.

Maintenance is simple – the plant needs a standard, balanced fertilizer (equal amount of N, P, K) for successful fruit production.1

Because of the thorns, narrow hedges are recommended, as this makes access to the fruits easier1.

Pruning the plant is beneficial because it induces the development of more fruiting tips. Beyond cutting, little pruning work has to be done to restrain the bush from massive growth. This results in an increasing amount of fruits per plant.1

Growing Amatungulu from seed

It is best grown from seed, but can also be grown from cuttings2. Fill the seed tray with soil and compact lightly. Treat seed with a pre-emergence fungicide and sow in the tray, cover the seed with a thin layer of soil or compost and water well. Store tray in a wind-free area. Once germinated, replant seedlings into well-composted soil. Seedlings can be fed with a liquid fertilizer2. Seeds germinate 2-4 weeks after sowing1. Seedlings are slow to grow at first, and fruit should not be expected before 2 years1.

Harvesting Amatungulu

The main fruit production is in summer with slightly varying ripening times1. Each fruit must be picked when it is ripe. Under good growing conditions the plant also produces many fruits during the off-season. The ripe fruit is easily bruised and is highly perishable1.

How long does Amatungulu take to grow?

These estimates for how long Amatungulu takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Amatungulu Etymology

The genus name Carissa is derived from the Sanskrit “corissa” for plants of this genus, which contain a bitter and poisonous glucoside in the bark called carrisin2. The specific name macrocarpa is derived from Greek words for ‘large’ and ‘fruit’. The common name amatungulu is the Zulu name amaTungula meaning ‘fruit of the umThungula’2.

Amatungulu Folklore & Trivia

The shrub makes a good garden hedge and the fruits can be eaten raw or made into delicious jams or jellies2.

Other names for Amatungulu

large num-num, big num-num, large amatungulu, big amatungulu, Natal plum, grootnoem-noem (Afrikaans)

Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A. DC.

Footnotes

1 Wikipedia entry on Carissa macrocarpa

2 PlantzAfrica entry on Carissa macrocarpa


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