Conker Berry
Origin of name
Family: APOCYNACEAE
- Carissa derived from Indian name for similar plants
- lanceolata meaning “lance-shaped“
Occurrence
A local plant of open forest, vine thicket and monsoon forest (occasionally). Can form thickets on stony sites.
Prefers full sun and well-drained, fertile soil but succeeds in dry, sandy/rocky soils. Can be weedy on over-grazed land.
Appearance
Tangled, multi-stemmed, spiny shrub (2-3m) with glossy green leaves. Stems usually weak. Branches bear 1–3cm thorns. Fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers (after rain) lead to berries (1–2cm) that ripen to dark purple-black.
Indigenous use: fruit – eaten when ripe!; root extracts – many medicinal uses. Plant extracts are of current scientific interest. Fruit eaten by birds. Thorny branches provide safe habitat for small birds & other animals. The soft-grained, orange wood is popular with woodworkers.
Image coming soon