Forest Num Num – 5 Seeds

Forest Num Num (Carissa bispinosa) is a medium to large spiny shrub or occasionally a small tree, with an upright growth habit. It can grow to a height of between 1.5m to 5m. It is evergreen and twiggy, the branches exhibiting a repeated forked pattern. The plants contain a milky sap and the branches are often hairy. Spines are once or twice-forked, rarely single, and are sometimes even absent. Leaves are opposite, simple, shortly petiolate, ovate, broadly ovate or ovate-elliptic, with a smooth margin, glossy dark green above, paler below, with short, thorn-like tips.

The star shaped flowers are small, white or tinged pink, with a long, slender corolla tube, sweetly scented and clustered at the tips of twigs. The flowers attract birds and insects to the garden. Fruit are small, ovoid, edible, red berries. It is not uncommon to find fruit and flowers on the same plant.

They thrive near the coast or in gardens inland where winters are mild. They can be grown in gardens that have moderate frost, but the rate of growth is much slower in areas where winters are cold.

Common names: forest num-num (Eng.); bosnoemnoem (Afr.); isibethankunzi, isabetha (Zul.)

Culinary Uses:

• The whole fruit, including the seed, is edible and has a delicious flavor.
• Traditionally, the plants are not only used for the edible fruit but the berries are also used to make jams and jellies.

CAUTION: Only the ripe, red fruit should be eaten; all other parts of the plant, including the leaves and stems which contain a milky sap, are considered toxic.

Traditional Benefits:

• An infusion or decoction of the roots is traditionally used to treat toothache.
• Infusions from the roots are consumed to alleviate stomach aches, coughs, and chest complaints.
• Roots are also used to treat oral infections.

Growing Forest Num Num:

Indoor Sowing: Spring and Early Summer.

Direct Sowing:  Spring and Early Summer.

• Fill a seedling tray with a well-drained mixture of compost and fine, washed river sand (about 1:2 ratio).
• Compact the soil lightly.
• Sow the seeds on the soil surface.
• Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil or compost and water well.
• Place the tray in a warm, bright area that is protected from strong wind and direct, harsh sunlight.
• A temperature of 20-25°C is optimal for germination.
• Keep the soil mix consistently moist, but not overly wet, to avoid rot.
• Germination in about 6 weeks, though it may take much longer, so patience is required.
• Once the seedlings have germinated and developed their first true leaves, transplant them into individual pots or a well-composted garden bed.
• Young plants need to be sheltered from cold for the first years as a precaution.