A thorny, densely branched shrub reaching up to three meters in height. It has green thorns and vibrant green, leathery leaves that are opposite and range from heart-shaped to elliptical. Its fragrant flowers bloom in clusters, white on the inside and red on the outside. The fruit is oval or round, starting green to reddish-brown before ripening to black and becoming edible. Its aromatic roots are traditionally used as natural tooth sticks (Miswak).
Scintefic Name
Carissa spinarum L
Family
Apocynaceae
Native Range
The Arabian Peninsula, South-Central and East Asia, Australia, Africa
Distribution in Saudi Arabia
This species is found in the southwestern highlands, particularly in Aseer (Jabal Bura, Wadi Al-Hillah, Wadi Al-Ghalabir, Wadi Rakhman) and Al-Baha (around Al-Hawalah, Jabal Athrab, Al-Abna, Hazna, and the Taif road), and Taif Province (Al-Abna Mountain P
Importance
With its dense branches and thorns, this tree makes an excellent natural fence for fields. Its fruit is edible, it provides valuable forage for goats and camels, serves as a rich nectar source for bees, and its wood is widely used for fuel.
Soil Type: Loamy to sandy loam, with a dark or light brown surface layer and elevated calcium cations.
Terrain: Slopes, plateaus, and deep valleys.
None
Soil pH: Ranges between 6.01 and 6.62.
Elevation range
400–2000 meters
Propagation methods
Seeds and seedlings
Planting season
October
Irrigation
Moderate requirements
Fertilization
Low requirements
Care
Requires pruning if affected by branch pests to maintain plant health.
Toxicity Risks
Unripe fruits are toxic and should be handled cautiously in areas accessible to children or livestock.
Pests and diseases
Observed issues include brown leaf spots, fruit wilting, and leaf blight.
Flowering period
May
Growth rate
Slow
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Drenching
Low
Salinity tolerance
640 ppm
Temperature range
10–30°C
