Desert Star - Carissa macrocarpa

The Desert Star is an evergreen shrub renowned for its attractive foliage, fragrant flowers, and edible fruits. It thrives in subtropical to near-tropical climates and responds well to pruning, which encourages more flowering and fruiting.

• Height and Width: Typically around 1 meter; can reach 2-3 meters, pruning will control and shape size.
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves with small thorns.
• Flowers: White, scented, star-shaped, blooming primarily in warmer months.
• Fruit: Edible red fruits, best when slightly soft to the touch.
• Climate Tolerance: Subtropical to near-tropical, withstands temperatures as low as 3°C.

Detailed Description: The Desert Star is a dense, compact shrub characterized by its round, glossy, dark green leaves which feature small thorns. This attribute, along with its manageable size, makes it an ideal choice for narrow hedge orchard designs, facilitating easier access to the fruits that predominantly grow at the top of the bush.

The plant is adorned with terminal white flowers that have spreading, star-like lobes, contributing to its ornamental appeal. These flowers are followed by the development of red fruits, which are a key feature of the plant. The fruits are edible and can be consumed fresh when they are slightly soft to the touch. They can also be processed into various products such as jelly, jam, wine, vinegar, and desserts. However, it's important to consume the fruits only when they are fully ripe, as the white sap and unripe fruits are poisonous.

Desert Star is well-suited to warm climates and can tolerate temperatures down to 3°C. Regular pruning not only helps in maintaining the desired shape and size of the plant but also stimulates denser growth, leading to more flower and fruit production.

Orchard Design and Usage:

• Narrow Hedges: Recommended for orchard designs due to the plant's prickles, facilitating easier access to fruits at the top of the bush.
• Pruning: Regular pruning stimulates more flower tips, leading to increased fruit production.
• Harvesting: Fruits are best consumed when fully ripe, as unripe fruits and white sap are poisonous.

Culinary Uses:

• Fresh Consumption: Fruits can be eaten fresh when slightly soft.
• Processing: Juice can be extracted to make jelly, jam, wine, vinegar, and various desserts.
• Caution: Ensure fruits are fully ripe before consumption to avoid toxicity from unripe fruits or sap.

Planting Benefits:

• Aesthetic Appeal: Provides year-round beauty with glossy leaves, fragrant flowers, and attractive fruits.
• Versatility: Suitable for various landscaping designs, including narrow hedges in orchards.
• Edible Fruit: Offers a range of culinary uses from its sweet, ripe fruits.
• Low Maintenance: Easy to care for, with pruning enhancing its shape and productivity​