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Krohn Conservatory Bonsai #9 - Natal Plum

Scientific Name:

  • carissa grandiflora

Species

  • Natal Plum

This Natal Plum was donated by Bonsai Society member John Carroll in 1996.

It is semi-cascade style.  The pot is hexagonal, unglazed, brown in color with Chinese ideographic and is 18 inches tall.

As its name suggests, Natal plum is native to Natal, South Africa. This species of Africa stretches from Senegal to Sudan, and Ethiopia to South Africa.

The fruit was brought to the Philippines in the early 1900s.  Its close cousin, the karonda (carissa carandas), originated in India and thus appears in the country with greater frequency.

Today, the fruit continues to grow throughout parts of Africa and in warm regions of the US, like California, Hawaii, and Florida. Attempts were made to introduce the shrub to Israel, but it didn’t fruit.

Germination Year
1975 (Age: 49 years)
In Training Since
1983 (41 years)
Acquired in
1996
Insect Control

This tree can be susceptible to mealy bugs and aphids.  Treat with horticultural oil or malathion.