Carissa bispinosa glossy leaves

These Carissa bispinosa leaves photographed at Nature’s Valley are notably lush, as are many other plants seen there. Inland, over the mountains to the north the same plant is taxed more by lower rainfall, heat and some harsher seasons, causing it to appear less flourishing.

The num-num grows all over South Africa and the oval, red fruit are often eaten by people, monkeys and birds. Dispersing the seeds for growing more plants is thus hardly a problem, although some will be big and other small shrubs.

The equally forked spines in picture have dried tips, not as vigorous and thriving as the leaves. This limitation doesn’t detract from their effectiveness in plant defence. They are at least well advertised, should the approach be prudent and not in haste.

The varieties of this num-num recognised in earlier days are no longer upheld (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley 1993).