are natal plum leaves toxic
Plants can be beautiful on the outside and deadly on the inside. Florida is home to plants that can not only make people and pets sick, but in the worse cases, can be fatal. Plant these specimens where children and pets will not be able to have access. Hummingbirds and butterflies are not affected. The white, star-shaped flowers bloom all year long and grow to about 2 inches long with a fragrance like an orange blossom. The fruit appears on the tree along with new flowers, is 2 inches long and tastes like cranberries. Plant natal plum in full sun and a sandy, well-drained soil. The shrub is hardy in central and south Florida and the Florida Keys. With the exception of the fruit, all parts of the natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa), an evergreen shrub or small tree, are toxic. The plant grows to a height of 20 feet and produces dark-green oval leaves that grow to 1 to 3 inches long and branches that are covered in sharped, forked spines. Carissa grandiflora Natal Plum, Common Carissa from the University of Florida pdf. South Florida Tropicals: Carissa (Natal Plum) from the University of Florida pdf. Carissa 1987 from the Archives of the Rare Fruit Council of Australia. Toxic Plants (by common name) To search for photos of these plants, check the UC Berkeley CalPhotos: Plants site. Toxicity Class (third column in table below) Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness or death. If ingested, immediately call the Poison Control Center -- (800) 222-1222 -- or your doctor. Toxicity Class (third column in table below) 1  Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness or death. 2  Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.  Oxalates: The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. 1 Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness or death. If ingested, immediately call the Poison Control Center -- (800) 222-1222 -- or your doctor.  Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea. If ingested, call the Poison Control Center or your doctor. Seedlings may begin to produce fruit in 2 years; cuttings earlier. The selections 'Fancy', 'Gifford' and 'Torrey Pines' are said to be of good fruit bearing quality. Note: All parts of Natal plum are poisonous except for the ripe fruits. Even the seeds within the fruits are said to be poisonous. Natal plum should not be planted close to pedestrian traffic because of its sharp spines. Known hazards: the plant has ery sharp spines; some may find the latex mildly irritating. Carissa grandiflora is one of Florida's and California's very best seaside shrubs (Fig. 1). This moderately fast-growing, evergreen shrub has lustrous, leathery, rich green, oval leaves and spines along its branches. Toxic Plants (by common name) To search for photos of these plants, check the UC Berkeley CalPhotos: Plants site. Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness or death. If ingested, immediately call the Poison Control Center -- (800) 222-1222 -- or your doctor.
Yes, All parts of Natal plum are poisonous except for the ripe fruits.