>Declangi at 19:54, 16 May 2021

2021-05-16T19:54:10Z

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{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Carissa carandas flowers.JPG
|image_caption =
|genus = Carissa
|species = carandas
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
|synonyms = {{Species list|
Arduina carandas|(L.) Baill.|
Arduina carandas|(L.) K. Schum.|
Capparis carandas|(L.) Burm.f.|
Carissa salicina|Lam.
Echites spinosus|Burm.f.|
Jasminonerium carandas|(L.) Kuntze|
Jasminonerium salicinum (Lam.) Kuntze
}}
}}
[[File:KaroNTa 11062011339.JPG|thumb|Fruit]]

'''''Carissa carandas''''' is a species of [[Flowering plant|flowering]] [[shrub]] in the family [[Apocynaceae]]. It produces [[Berry (botany)|berry]]-sized [[fruit]]s that are commonly used as a [[condiment]] in [[Indian pickle]]s and spices. It is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that thrives well in a wide range of soils. Common names in English include '''Bengal currant''', '''Christ's thorn''',<ref name=":0"><Khare CP. Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary Springer Berlin; 2007 pg. 123.</ref> '''carandas plum''' and '''karanda'''.<ref>Lim TK. Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants; Volume 1, Fruits Springer Berlin; 2012. p. 240–245</ref><ref name=GRIN>{{GRIN | accessdate = 27 May 2018}}</ref>

The supposed [[variety (botany)|varieties]] ''congesta'' and ''paucinervia'' actually refer to the related conkerberry (''[[Carissa spinarum|C. spinarum]]'').

==Distribution==
Normally it flourishes well in regions with high temperatures. Thus, it is found in abundance in [[Western Ghats]] of [[Konkan]] region in the western coastal states of [[Maharashtra]] and [[Goa]]. Nevertheless, it grows naturally even in the temperate conditions of [[Siwalik Hills]] of [[Himalayas]] in [[India]] and [[Nepal]] at elevations of {{convert|30|to|1800|m}}. In rest of India, it is grown on a limited scale in [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], [[Bihar]], [[West Bengal]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. It grows naturally in most South Asian countries like in the lowland rain forests of [[Sri Lanka]] and in other countries like [[Nepal]], [[Afghanistan]], and [[Bangladesh]].

==Propagation==
The plant is grown from seed sown in August and September. Vegetative propagation also is practiced in the form of budding and [[Grafting|inarching]]. Cuttings may also succeed. The first monsoon shower is planting time. Plants raised from seed start bearing two years after planting. Flowering starts in March and in Northern India the fruit ripens from July to September.<ref name=":0" />

==Chemistry==
Isolation of many terpenoids has been reported.<ref>V Devmurari, P Shivanand, MB Goyani, S Vaghani, NP Jivani. Carissa Congesta: Phytochemical constituents, traditional use and pharmacological properties 2009; 3: 375-377.</ref> In particular mixture of sesquiterpenes namely carissone <ref>J. Reisch, R. Hussain, B. Krebs, M. Dartmann. The structure of carissone. Monatshefte fuer Chemie 121(11): 941-4 (1990).</ref> and carindone as a novel type of C31 terpenoid have been reported.<ref>B. Singh, R.P. Rastogi . The structure of carindone. Phytochemistry, 11(5):1797-801 (1972).</ref> Other products include pentacyclic triterpenoid carissin.<ref>Siddiqui BS, Ghani U, Ali ST, Usmani SB, Begum S. Triterpenoidal constituents of the leaves of Carissa carandas. Natural Product Research. 2003; 17:153-8.</ref>

==Uses==
[[File:Carissa carandas fruits ready for consumption.JPG|thumb|right|Fruits ready for consumption]]

===Medicine and food===

It is rich in iron,<ref name=karonda2/> vitamin C,<ref name=karonda2/> vitamins A,<ref name=karonda3/> calcium<ref name=karonda3/> and phosphorus.<ref name=karonda3>[https://www.fruitsinfo.com/karonda-fruit.php Benefits of Carvanda], Fruitsinfo.com.</ref>

Its fruit is used in the ancient Indian herbal system of medicine, [[Ayurvedic]], to treat acidity, indigestion, fresh and infected wounds, skin diseases, urinary disorders and diabetic ulcer,<ref name=karonda2>[https://easyayurveda.com/2016/12/13/karonda-carissa-carandas-karamarda/Carandas, benefits, research, side effects], Easy Ayurveda.</ref> as well as biliousness, stomach pain, constipation, anemia, skin conditions, anorexia and insanity.<ref name=karonda3/> Leaf decoction is used to treat fever, diarrhea, and earache.<ref name=karonda3/> The roots serve as a stomachic, an anthelmintic medicine for itches and also as insect repellents.<ref name=karonda3/>

In India, the mature fruit is harvested for [[South Asian pickles#India|Indian pickles]]. It contains [[pectin]] and accordingly is a useful ingredient in [[chutney]]. Ripe fruits exude a white latex when severed from the branch.

[[British raj|Colonial British]] in India also made jelly, jams and syrups from it.<ref name=karonda1/>

===Other uses===
It was used in the [[Great Hedge of India]] (1803-1879 CE) because it is easy to grow, drought resistant, is a sturdy shrub that grows in a variety of soils, and also ideal for hedges as it grows rapidly, densely and needs little attention.<ref name=karonda1>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/14186015.cms Summer brings astringently delicious karonda, a fruit that's ripe for pickling], Economic Times, June 2012.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Wikispecies}}

==External links==
* [http://www.stuartxchange.org/Caranda.html Scientific medicinal information on Karonda (Carvanda)]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1036374}}

[[Category:Carissa|carandas]]
[[Category:Plants used in Ayurveda]]
[[Category:Spices]]
[[Category:Flora of the Indian subcontinent]]

Carissa carandas - Revision history

>Declangi at 19:54, 16 May 2021