Dovyalis is a genus of roughly 15 species of dense, thorny shrubs and small trees in the family Salicaceae, order Malpighiales. The genus was historically placed in the now-defunct family Flacourtiaceae, but molecular phylogenetic evidence has firmly established its position within Salicaceae.
Plants in the genus typically grow 3–6 metres tall and are characterised by sharp stem spines, 3–6 cm long, arising in the leaf axils. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, and ovate, measuring 3–10 cm in length. Flowers are inconspicuous, solitary or clustered, lack petals, and are dioecious — male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The fruit is a globose berry 2–4 cm in diameter, ranging from yellow to purple at maturity, containing several small seeds; the flesh is very juicy with a distinctly acidic flavour.
The genus is native to Africa, ranging from Ethiopia south to South Africa, and to southern Asia including India and Sri Lanka. Several species are cultivated for their edible fruit: D. caffra (Kei-apple or Umkokola) is widely grown in southern Africa, and D. hebecarpa (Kitembilla) is popular in India and Sri Lanka. Some species, notably D. abyssinica, are also grown as ornamental plants and as impenetrable livestock or security hedges, valued for their formidable spines. A hybrid between D. hebecarpa and D. abyssinica, known as the tropical apricot or ketcot, was developed in Florida in 1953 and is cultivated for its fruit.
Distribution
Dovyalis is native to sub-Saharan Africa, from Ethiopia south to South Africa, and to southern Asia, including India and Sri Lanka. Several species have been introduced to other tropical and subtropical regions where they are cultivated for fruit or as hedge plants.
Cultivation
Several species are grown commercially and domestically for their edible fruit. D. caffra (Kei-apple) is popular in southern Africa, while D. hebecarpa (Kitembilla) is cultivated in India and Sri Lanka. The dioecious nature of the genus means that both male and female plants must be present for fruiting. Some species, particularly D. abyssinica, are also planted as ornamental shrubs or impenetrable live hedges, with the stiff spines valued for deterring livestock and intruders. The hybrid tropical apricot (D. hebecarpa × D. abyssinica) was developed in Florida in 1953 for improved fruit production.
Taxonomy Notes
The genus Dovyalis was formerly classified in the family Flacourtiaceae, a broadly circumscribed grouping that has since been dismantled following molecular phylogenetic studies. Recent genetic evidence has demonstrated that Dovyalis belongs in Salicaceae (order Malpighiales), a family that has been substantially expanded beyond willows and poplars to include many tropical genera previously placed in Flacourtiaceae.
