Life Span
Annual
  
Perennial
  
Type
Shrub
  
Fruit, Tree
  
Origin
Southern Africa
  
Not Available
  
Types
Carissa bispinosa, Carissa carandas
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
Coastal Regions, Tropical regions
  
Forests, gardens, Hill prairies, Homesteads, Rocky areas, Woodlands
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-11
  
Not Available
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-9
  
Not Available
  
Sunset Zone
H2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Not Available
  
Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
  
Bushy, Evergreen
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White
  
Light Green, Lime Green
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Light Red
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
  
Yellow, Green, Gray Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
Yellow, Green, Gray Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
  
Yellow, Green, Gray Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Elliptic and Ovate
  
Ovate
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Slow
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
  
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
No
  
Tolerances
Shade areas
  
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
  
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
  
Seedlings, Stem Cutting, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires regular watering, Water daily during growing season, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
  
Keep ground moist, Requires regular watering, Use Mulches to help prevent water loss during hot and windy weather
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune to control growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Cut or pinch the stems, Do not prune during shooting season, Remove deadheads
  
Fertilizers
fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
  
High Potash Fertilizer
  
Pests and Diseases
Insects, Red blotch, Scale, Spider mites, Thripes, Whiteflies
  
Bacterial Blight, Foliage-feeding caterpillars, Moth
  
Plant Tolerance
Shade areas
  
Pollution, Salt and Soil Compaction
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Fine
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
Sometimes
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Birds
  
Caterpillar
  
Allergy
Toxic
  
Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Cottage Garden, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Blood purifying, Glowing Skin, Good for skin and hair, Provides herbal hair care, Speed hair growth
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Food for insects, Prevent Soil Erosion
  
Air purification, soil stabilisation
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
Atherosclerosis, Cancer, Diabetes, Diarrhea, High blood pressure, High cholestrol, Obesity, Vitamin C
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Fruits
  
Fruits
  
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Making Shampoo, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in herbal medicines
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Edible, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Topiary, Bonsai, Espalier, Tropical
  
Cottage garden
  
Botanical Name
CARISSA macrocarpa
  
Phyllanthus emblica
  
Common Name
Carissia
  
Indian Gooseberry, Amla , Awala
  
In Hindi
Carissa
  
आमला
  
In German
carissa
  
Stachelbeere
  
In French
carissa
  
Groseille à maquereau
  
In Spanish
carissa
  
Grosella
  
In Greek
carissa
  
Φραγκοστάφυλλο
  
In Portuguese
carissa
  
Groselha
  
In Polish
carissa
  
Agrest
  
In Latin
carissa
  
hominem
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Gentianales
  
Malpighiales
  
Family
Apocynaceae
  
Phyllanthaceae
  
Genus
Carissa
  
Phyllanthus
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Carisseae
  
Phyllantheae
  
Subfamily
Rauvolfioideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available