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Dovyalis caffra

Accession Count: 2
Common Name: Kei-apple
Family Name: Salicaceae
Botanical Name: Dovyalis caffra
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Aberia caffra, Aberia edulis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Dovyalis caffra is a vigorous growing, multi-branched shrub or small tree that grows to 20 feet in height in dry regions and to 30 feet in wetter areas (1, 2). Its branches and trunk are covered with bark that is smooth and greyish or yellowish-brown when young, becoming darker grey and rough and fissured with age (1, 2, 3, 4). It has simple, oblong evergreen leaves with smooth margins, a leathery texture, and a waxy sheen, being dark green above and paler beneath (2, 3, 5). The leaves, measuring from 1 to 3 inches in length, grow on small spurs or dwarf side branches and exhibit alternate phyllotaxis on young shoots, and clusters on mature growth (2, 3, 4, 5). Leaves may be downy when young, but not when mature (3). The branches are armed with long, slender spines that measure from 1½ to 3 inches in length (2, 3, 5). 
Tiny, inconspicuous, petalless flowers appear singly or in clusters in the leaf axils, being  light yellow or creamy green in color. Male and female flowers occurr on different plants, although plants may be parthenogenetic (2, 3, 4, 5). Male flowers measure ⅛ inch in length, occurring in clusters of 5-10 (2, 3, 4, 6), while female flowers typically appear on short stalks in groups of three (2, 6). Pollination occurs from insects insects (3, 4).
Eventually, flowers give way to globose or subglobose fruits, which are dark green when young, becoming bright yellow or orange when mature - between 90 and 120 days after pollination (2, 3). The fruit, which is botanically considered a berry, measures up to 2½ inches in diameter when ripe and is juicy and acidic, with a velvety, somewhat tough skin and a texture similar to the apricot (2, 4, 5). Fruits contain 5-10 hairy seeds, arranged in two rings around the center and measuring approximately ½ inch in length (2, 3, 4, 5). 
While not aggressive, the plant’s root system does exhibit allelopathy, which inhibits the growth of nearby plants (3, 4, 5, 7).
Compound: Dov caf
Geographic Origin: Africa
Ecozone Origin: Afrotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The kei (pronounced kye) apple is indigenous to southeastern Africa and grows most abundantly in the area of the Kei River in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, hence its common name (1, 2, 3, 5). It commonly grows in open subtropical woodlands, wooded grasslands, or forest margins (3), and is is frequently found in connection with termite mounds or abandoned human structures such as old buildings or stone walls  (3, 4). It was introduced to England in 1838, from where it was taken to the Mediterranean basin, Australia, the Philippines, Jamaica, Costa Rica and to southern California and Florida in the United States (1, 5). Since then, the plant has been introduced to other parts of Africa, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (1). It has been used extensively in hedges around citrus groves in Israel, but the fruit was not well liked and became a breeding ground for Mediterranean fruit flies, so the plants were destroyed (1, 5). 
Although D. caffra is cultivated throughout the world today, it is not a popular fruit tree due to the fruit’s acidity (1). Efforts are underway to find more palatable cultivars and increase the plant’s cultivation (1). 
The genus name Dovyalis is said to be derived from the Greek word for spear, referring to the plant’s thorns (3, 4, 6). As written, however, this name may reflect a transcription error as the Greek word for spear is dory (δόρυ), which should have resulted in the name Doryalis, a spelling used by some writers, but considered incorrect by botanists today (5). The specific epithet caffra comes from the region of the Eastern Cape formerly known as Kaffraria (3, 4, 6, 8).
Cultivation Notes: Dovyalis caffra is a good choice for southern Arizona’s hot, dry climate, as established plants are drought and frost tolerant (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9). Plants grow best where the mean annual temperature falls within the range of 68°-82°F, but can tolerate 50°-95°F (7). 
Because D. caffra is dioecious, both male and female plants must be present for fruit formation (1, 7). D. caffra is easily propagated from seeds (2, 5, 6), although if fruit production is desired, plants should be produced by cuttings or layering to ensure the proper proportion of male and female plants (1), or they can be grafted (1). 
In its native environment, D. caffra receives summer rainfall and about 28 inches of precipitation a year. However, the best growth occurs when receiving 66 inches or more  (1, 2, 4, 7). In Florida mature plants have shown frost resistance to 20°F, although young plants are not as hardy (5, 7). 
D. caffra has adapted to a variety of soils, even poor ones, but prefers deep, well-drained, humus-rich soils (2, 3, 7). High water tables should be avoided (1, 5). It tolerates a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5 (2), as well as salty soil and salt spray, making it appropriate for coastal plantings (1, 4, 5, 7). The plant can be planted in full sun or partial shade (3, 6, 7). 
Dovyalis caffra is found below elevations of 4000 feet in subtropical regions but can grow up  8000 feet in the tropics (3, 4). As it is evergreen and keeps its leaves year-round, it is often used as an ornamental or dooryard plant (1). In close plantings, D. caffra can be used as an impenetrable hedge or windbreak, with the branches of neighboring trees being intertwined (1, 3, 5, 6). If the plant is pruned, D. caffra will grow thicker over time, lending more value to its use as a hedge (3). Other uses in cultivation include being grown in containers, espaliered, or turned into a bonsai plant (9, 1).
The plant responds well to pruning, and if growth becomes leggy or shaggy, it can be cut to the ground to rejuvenate (3, 5, 7). Old unpicked fruit and fruit on the ground should be removed as they will become a host for the Mediterranean fruit fly, and can produce a smell that many people find disagreeable (2).
Ethnobotany: In addition to being widely cultivated as a fruit tree or a decorative plant, Dovyalis caffra provides many practical benefits. The fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, containing 80-120 milligrams per 100 grams of fruit  (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Ripe fruit can be eaten out of hand, but for most people it is too sour to eat in this way (3, 4, 5, 7). Instead, most people cut the fruit in half, remove the seeds and peel, sprinkle it with sugar, and allow it to stand several hours before eating (1, 5). 
In Africa, people add kei apple juice to boiled grain to make a tasty porridge (1, 3). The fruit is often made into jams, jellies, marmalades, and compotes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9). The fruit reduces to syrup after only a few minutes of cooking and is used in this way as garnish for meats and fish or as fillings for pies and other desserts (1). The syrup can also be dried to make fruit leather or mixed with liquid to make drinks (1). Additionally, the fruit is high in pectin and can be used to gel other juices (1, 7). Unripe fruit are also eaten as “instant pickles” (1, 2, 3, 5). 
The plant is used in many parts of Africa to create impenetrable hedges to keep unwanted wildlife (and people) out, or to enclose domestic animals (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9). The leaves can be used as a backup fodder for domestic animals, which typically avoid the foliage because of the thorns (1, 2, 3, 4, 6). Leaves are also eaten by antelope and other wildlife (3). Although the wood is light-colored, dense, and heavy, it is usually too small to be of value for anything other than firewood (3, 7). 
The plant and its fruit attract pollinating insects and other animals, such as monkeys, antelope, and baboon, which enjoy the fruit and help spread its seeds (1, 2, 3, 6). The flowers provide food for bees (3, 4). 
Additionally, if the fruit of D. caffra is allowed to ferment in water, the resulting liquid has herbicidal properties (4, 7), and the roots, stem, and fruit show antibiotic properties (5). Together with other species of the same genus, kei apple is an important source of income for many communities in southern Africa (3, 6).
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Yellow
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
1. “III 1-06 KEI APPLE.” Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2008. Retrieved August 06, 2015.

2. “Kei Apple.” Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Republic of South Africa. Retrieved August 06, 2015.

3. Jooste, M. (2004). “Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Warb.” Ecoport. Retrieved August 06, 2015.

4. Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R., and Anthony, S., (2009) “Dovyalis caffra.” Agroforestree Database. Retrieved August 06, 2015.

5. Morton, J. (1987), “Kei Apple” in Fruits of Warm Climates. Center for New Crops & Crop Products, Purdue University. Retrieved August 06, 2015.

6. “Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Hook.f.” South African National Biodiversity Institute. Accessed August 06, 2015.

7. Fern, K. (2014). “Dovyalis caffra.” Useful Tropical Plants Database. Accessed August 06, 2015.

8. Hyde, M., Wursten, B., Ballings, P., and Coates-Palgrave, M. (2015). “Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Dovyalis caffra.” Accessed August 06, 2015.

9. “Dovyalis caffra (Kei Apple).” (2015). Growwild. Accessed August 06, 2015.
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Dovyalis caffra