Life Span
Annual
  
Biennial
  
Type
Shrub
  
Vegetable
  
Origin
Southern Africa
  
Hybrid origin
  
Types
Carissa bispinosa, Carissa carandas
  
Argentine canola
annua – annual rape and summer rape
swede rape
pabularia – Hanover-salad
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Coastal Regions, Tropical regions
  
Not Available
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-11
  
6-9
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-9
  
9-3
  
Sunset Zone
H2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
  
Rosette/Stemless
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White
  
Yellow, Light Yellow
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Light Red
  
Tan, Brown
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
  
Black, Green, Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
  
Green, Blue 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
  
Growth Rate
Slow
  
Medium
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
  
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
No
  
Tolerances
Shade areas
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
  
Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Medium
  
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
  
Water frequently while growing, Water slowly, and allow to dry completely between soakings
  
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
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun
  
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
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Apply N-P-K
  
Pests and Diseases
Insects, Red blotch, Scale, Spider mites, Thripes, Whiteflies
  
Blackleg, Clubroot, Flea Beetles, Grasshoppers, Lygus bugs, Red blotch, Slugs, Snails, Verticillium Wilt, white rust
  
Plant Tolerance
Shade areas
  
Drought, Humidity, Shade areas
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Coarse
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Birds
  
Flea beetles, Moths, Snails
  
Allergy
Toxic
  
Asthma, Mild Allergen, Toxic
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Cottage Garden, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Food for insects, Prevent Soil Erosion
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
Diuretic, Emollient
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Fruits
  
Leaves, Root
  
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Not Available
  
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
  
Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
  
Botanical Name
CARISSA macrocarpa
  
BRASSICA napus var. napobrassica
  
Common Name
Carissia
  
Rutabaga, Swede , Swedish Turnip
  
In Hindi
Carissa
  
शलजम
  
In German
carissa
  
Steckrübe
  
In French
carissa
  
rutabaga
  
In Spanish
carissa
  
nabo sueco
  
In Greek
carissa
  
μέγα γογγύλιον
  
In Portuguese
carissa
  
Rotavaga
  
In Polish
carissa
  
Rotavaga
  
In Latin
carissa
  
Rotavaga
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Gentianales
  
Brassicales
  
Family
Apocynaceae
  
Brassicaceae
  
Genus
Carissa
  
Brassica
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Carisseae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Rauvolfioideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available