Category: Eco Park

A thorny evergreen shrub, Carissa spinarum, has been identified and documented in the Sanjeevi Malai hills and the adjoining eco park area, highlighting the region’s rich native biodiversity.

The shrub grows up to 2–4 metres in height and is characterised by small, dark green oval leaves and sharp, forked thorns. It produces white, fragrant, star-shaped flowers, followed by small berries that ripen from green to red and eventually black.

Local experts note that the plant holds significant value in traditional medicine. In Ayurveda and folk practices, different parts of the shrub are used to treat fever, infections, digestive issues, and certain skin conditions, while the roots are sometimes used for pain relief.

The fruit, when fully ripe, is edible and has a mildly sweet to tangy taste. However, experts caution that unripe fruits may be slightly toxic, and the plant’s milky latex can cause skin irritation if handled improperly. It is often consumed raw or used in local preparations such as jams. Additionally, due to its dense, thorny growth, the plant is commonly used as a natural fence and plays a role in soil conservation.