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Kei Apple
Dovyalis afra
SA tree no: 507
English: Kei Apple, Kei-apple
Afrikaans: Kei-appel
Zulu: uMqokolo
N. Sotho: Motlhono
Shona: Mukokolo
Historical scientific names: Dovyalis caffra, Aberia afra, Aberia edulis
A descriptive overview of the Kei Apple, Dovyalis afra, showcases it as a small to medium-sized evergreen tree or shrub. It is notably spiny, making it an excellent choice for security hedges, and produces bright yellow to orange, acidic, edible fruits, often referred to as Kei apples.
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Distinguishing features
Forms a dense, spiny shrub or small tree, reaching up to 9 metres in height.
Possesses sharp, sturdy thorns, typically 3–6 cm long, found in the leaf axils.
Bears inconspicuous, creamy-green flowers with no petals.
Produces bright yellow or orange, globose, edible fruits that are juicy and acidic.
Overall appearance:
Dovyalis afra is a dense shrub or small tree with a branched crown. It is evergreen and well-armed with prominent spines.
Height:
Typically grows to 6 metres tall, but can reach up to 8–9 metres in moister open woodland environments.
Width:
Can form a much-branched crown and dense thickets, making it suitable for hedges.
Leaves:
Simple, alternately arranged, ovate, measuring 3–6 cm long. They are dark glossy green above and paler below, leathery, waxy, and show obvious veining on both surfaces. Leaves often appear in tight clusters on dwarf lateral spurs.
Flowers:
Inconspicuous and creamy-green, with no petals. The plant is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Male flowers are about 3 mm long and form in dense clusters of 5–10 flowers. Female flowers are found in groups of up to three on stalks 4–10 mm long in leaf axils.
Flowering season:
Flowers appear from November to December, or in late spring and early summer in South Africa.
Fruits:
Fleshy, edible, bright yellow to orangey-yellow globose berries, typically 2.5–4 cm in diameter (sometimes up to 6 cm). They have a velvety, peach-like feel when ripe, a uniform skin and flesh colour, and contain several small seeds (5–15). They ripen from December to January and are juicy, tasty, and very acidic.
Seeds:
Small seeds are contained within the fruit. They are easily propagated from seed.
Bark:
On older stems, the bark is grey, smooth, and may flake in square patches, becoming cracked and flaky or corky. Young branches are smooth and spiny.
Stems:
Young stems are armed with hard, straight spines up to 6 cm long.
Thorns:
Prominent, sharp, and sturdy thorns, 3–6 cm long, are a distinguishing feature.
Roots:
No specific information found on root characteristics, but the plant is described as drought-resistant.
Soil type:
Grows well in a wide variety of well-drained soil types, including saline soils. It tolerates loamy clay but does not thrive in waterlogged conditions.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun or light/semi-shade.
Edibility:
The ripe fruits are edible and highly acidic, similar to apricots. They can be eaten fresh (often with added sugar to balance the acidity), or used to make excellent jams, jellies, juices, desserts, and pickles.
Uses:
Widely cultivated as an impenetrable security hedge or screen due to its thorns. The fruits are used culinarily for jams, jellies, and beverages. Leaves are sometimes used as fodder for livestock. In some regions, it is used for live fences.
Ecology:
Insects and birds play a vital role in its pollination. Birds such as louries and black-eyed bulbuls are attracted to the fruits and aid in seed dispersal. Baboons, antelope, and monkeys also consume the fruit. The flowers attract insects, which in turn attract insect-eating birds. Notably, Dovyalis afra is a larval host plant for the African Leopard butterfly (Phalanta phalantha aethiopica).
Distribution and habitat:
Native to southern Africa, its natural distribution extends from the Kei River in the Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal to Eswatini, into Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Zimbabwe, and northwards along the eastern side of the continent to Tanzania. It thrives in valley bushveld, dry areas, wooded grasslands, and on forest edges. It has also been introduced to other subtropical and warm temperate regions globally.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Dovyalis is derived from a Greek word meaning "spear," referring to the plant's thorns.
The specific epithet afra means "from Africa."
The common name "Kei Apple" is derived from its native distribution, particularly around the Kei River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Its botanical name has historically been associated with Aberia caffra.
Historical aspects:
As a traditional food plant in the areas where it occurs, the Kei Apple has potential to contribute to nutrition, food security, rural development, and sustainable landcare. Despite its benefits, the fruit remains considerably underutilized in many parts of Africa.
Interesting facts
The Kei Apple is so spiny that it's often referred to as a "living fence," capable of deterring unwanted visitors!
Despite its tartness, the fruit is packed with vitamin C – a natural immune booster straight from your garden!
This tough plant can withstand drought, frost, and even salty coastal conditions, making it a true survivor.
Growing tips
Dovyalis afra is easily propagated from seed. Collect ripe fruits, clean the seeds, and dry them in a shady spot before sowing.
Sow seeds in seedling trays filled with river sand or a seedling mix, pressing them down to the surface and covering with a fine layer of sand.
Hardwood cuttings can also be used for propagation, but it's best to treat them with a root-stimulating hormone.
The plant has a good growth rate of approximately 600 mm per year once established.
For fruit production, ensure you have a female plant. For fertile fruits, both a female and a male plant are ideal, as it is dioecious.
Regular trimming is essential if you wish to maintain it as a formal hedge.
While initially a slow starter, it becomes robust and low-maintenance once established, tolerating frost and drought.
Plant type: Shrub, Tree, Evergreen Plant family: Salicaceae South African tree number: 507
Viable alternatives: The Kei Apple (Dovyalis afra) is an excellent indigenous alternative for alien invasive hedging plants such as Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), Port Jackson (Acacia saligna), and Bugweed (Solanum mauritianum).
Sources
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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