Apocynaceae (dogbane family) Carissa

Carissa grandiflora Natal plum

South Africa
Carissa grandiflora. John Rawlings, ca. 2005

Shrub, with wicked bifurcate thorns and showy, fragrant white flowers (June–July), between Keck Science and Organic Chemistry bldgs. Others plantings at Rains and Manzanita Park.

Illustrations: thorn and leaves.

Name derivation: Carissa – Latinized version of Indian vernacular name for these spiny shrubs; grandiflora – large-flowered.

Related material: Stanford Grounds Plant Information Sheet. List No.13, p.11.

About this Entry: John Rawlings authored the main text of this entry ca. 2005.