Karvand
Carissa carandas L.
Flowering shrub.
A. Basic information
- Common name
- Karvand
- Scientific name
- Carissa carandas L.
- Marathi name
- Not documented
- Plant family
- Apocynaceae
- Plant category
- Shrubs
- Other regional names (verified only)
- Karonda, Bengal currant, Christ's thorn, Carandas plum
- Botanical classification
- Not documented
- Species identification number (for example a herbarium or database ID)
- Not documented
B. Botanical description
- Typical height and growth pattern
- Flowering shrub.
- Leaf shape, size and characteristics
- Not documented
- Flower colour
- Flowers from March; fruit ripens July–September (northern India).
- Flowering season
- Not documented
- Fruit description
- Not documented
- Fruiting season
- Not documented
- Bark characteristics
- Not documented
- Seed description and dispersal method
- Not documented
- Expected lifespan
- Not documented
C. Habitat and distribution
- Sunlight requirement
- Not documented
- Water requirement
- Not documented
- Native distribution
- Grown across South Asia; native range not stated in the source consulted.
- Occurrence in Maharashtra
- Not documented
- Suitability for Pune's climate
- Not documented
- Natural habitat
- Hardy and drought-tolerant; wide soil range; 30–1,800 m elevation.
- Soil type and drainage requirements
- Not documented
- Altitude range
- Not documented
- Drought tolerance
- Not documented
- Other ecological growing conditions
- Not documented
D. Ecological importance
- Birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators supported
- Not documented
- Food and shelter for wildlife
- Not documented
- Soil stabilisation and erosion control
- Not documented
- Biodiversity and ecological restoration
- Not documented
- Carbon storage and climate resilience
- Not documented
- Local ecological balance
- Not documented
Specific wildlife relationships are listed only when supported by a reliable source.
E. Plantation and care guide
Species-specific guidance is listed first. General gardening advice is shown separately at the end and is not specific to this species.
- Recommended planting season
- Not documented
- Seed collection and propagation
- Not documented
- Nursery preparation
- Not documented
- Planting instructions
- Not documented
- Recommended spacing
- Not documented
- Watering during establishment
- Not documented
- Long-term water requirements
- Not documented
- Soil preparation
- Not documented
- Maintenance and pruning
- Not documented
- Common pests and diseases
- Not documented
- Expected growth rate
- Not documented
- Approximate time to establishment
- Not documented
- General gardening advice (not specific to this species)
- Not documented
F. Traditional and medicinal uses
Not medical advice. Traditional uses are cultural claims and are not proof that a plant is safe or effective. Do not use any plant to treat an illness without advice from a qualified doctor. Properties studied in scientific literature are listed separately.
- Traditional uses (claims, not proven effects)
- Not documented
- Medicinal properties studied in scientific literature
- Not documented
- Cultural and historical significance
- Not documented
- Other practical uses
- Not documented
G. Biodiversity and wildlife associations
- Birds that use the species
- Not documented
- Butterflies and pollinators
- Not documented
- Mammals and other wildlife
- Not documented
- Host-plant relationships
- Not documented
- Relationships with other native species
- Not documented
H. Conservation information
- IUCN Red List status
- Under verification (not confirmed from an assessment)
- Applicable Indian conservation protections
- Not documented
- Major threats
- Not documented
- Habitat loss and fragmentation risks
- Not documented
- Conservation recommendations
- Not documented
- Role in local ecosystem restoration
- Not documented
“Under verification” and “Not documented” mean the information has not been checked yet. They do not mean the species is safe or threatened.
I. Image gallery
Photographs (whole plant, leaf, flower, fruit or seed, bark and habitat) will be added once authentic, correctly identified images are available.
J. References and further reading
Compiled from Wikipedia species pages, which cite Plants of the World Online (Kew) and the IUCN Red List. Not yet reviewed by a botanist. Occurrence in Pune and on Baner-Pashan Hill is under verification.
- Wikipedia: Carissa carandas L. (opens in a new tab) · Source of the facts on this page
- Plants of the World Online (Kew): search (opens in a new tab) · Check accepted name and native range
Related species
- TreesIUCN: under verification
Kuda
Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G.Don
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Native region:
- Indian subcontinent
Central and southern Africa, Indian subcontinent, Indochina and parts of China.
Ecological benefit: Under verification
- ShrubsIUCN: under verification
Rui
रुई
Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand.
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Native region:
- Indian subcontinent
Large shrub, about 4 m.
Ecological benefit: Under verification
- TreesIUCN: Least Concern
Saptaparni
सप्तपर्णी
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Native region:
- Indian subcontinent
Evergreen tree growing up to about 40 m.
Ecological benefit: Under verification