🌿 Carissa Carandas-Karonda Cherry - Black - Hybrid Fruit Plant
Commonly known as Karonda, Karonda Cherry, or Christ’s Thorn, is a hardy, evergreen, fruit-bearing shrub native to India and Southeast Asia. The black hybrid variety is highly valued for its nutritious, tangy-sweet fruits and ornamental appeal.
✨ Key Features:
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub / small tree (up to 3–4 m tall).
Leaves: Glossy, oval-shaped, dense foliage.
Flowers: Fragrant, white star-shaped blooms.
Fruits: Oval, plum-sized berries that ripen from green → pink → deep black-purple when fully mature.
Fruit Taste: Tangy when raw, sweet-tart when ripe; used fresh, pickled, or processed into jams, jellies, and syrups.
🌱 Growing Conditions:
Climate: Thrives in hot, dry, and tropical climates (ideal for UAE conditions).
Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil.
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun for maximum fruiting.
Maintenance: Hardy, low-maintenance, and pest-resistant.
🌿 Uses & Benefits:
Culinary: Fresh fruit, pickles, preserves, jams, and refreshing drinks.
Medicinal: Traditionally used in Ayurvedic remedies for digestion, anemia, and heart health.
Ornamental: Glossy leaves, fragrant flowers, and colorful fruits make it an attractive landscape plant.
Hedging/Security: Dense, thorny branches serve as a natural protective hedge.