Chandigarh Forests
Department of Forest & Wildlife
UT Administration
Chandigarh
Department of Forest & Wildlife
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Division
|
Angiosperms |
|
Class
|
Dicotledons |
|
Subclass |
Gamopetalae |
|
Series |
Hypogynae |
|
Order |
Gentianales |
|
Family
|
Apocynaceae |
|
Genus
|
Carissa |
|
Species
|
congesta |
|
Etymology: |
Kryshina in Sanskrit means dark blue or black as the fruits are blackish blue and shrubs are called ‘ Krishnaphala’. In Malayalan it is called ‘ Karimulla’. It is derived from ‘ Kari’ black mullu, throns, referring to the black fruits and the presence of throns. |
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Botanical name:
|
Carissa congesta Wight ( C. carandas Linn. var. congesta ( Wt.) Bedd. ) |
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Local/Trade Names: |
Bengal Current, Christ’s Thorn, Karaunda. |
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Conservation status: |
Commonly cultivated for its fruits. |
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Digonestic features:
|
Much branched; fruits reddish-purple. |
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Description: |
An evergreen much branched, fast growing tall shrubs or a small tree. Bark pale brown or grayish, not rough, spines simple or forked, up to 5 cm long. Leaves shiny, tapering at base, round at the apex with a mucro; new leaves red. Flowers pure white or tinged with pink, in terminal compound, corymbose – raceme. Fruit a berry, reddish purple, 2.5 cm ,long, pulp juicy, acidic. Seeds compressed, tapering towards base. |
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Phenology: |
Fls.: February – March. Frts.: April – May. |
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Distribution: |
Cultivated throughout India ; Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Malaysia. |
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Where to see it: |
Near Energy Park. |
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Uses: |
Ripe fruits sweet and edible, particularly suitable for tarts, puddings, and jellies; unripe ones pickled. Root stomachic and anthelmintic. Decoction of leaves given in remittent fevers. Wood used for making spoons and combs. Because of the thorny nature, the tree is planted for fences; also tusser silk worms feed on it. |
