textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Wild Apricot
Dovyalis zeyheri
SA tree no: 511
English: Wild Apricot, Apricot Sourberry, Oval Kei Apple
Afrikaans: Wilde-appelkoos, Wilde-aprikoos, Appelkoossuurbessie, Wildeappelkoss, Zuluwildeappelkoos
Xhosa: umQokokolo, umQokolo
Zulu: Umnyazuma
N. Sotho: Morethema
Swati: Umnyazuma
Tsonga: Chipachipachane
Venda: Mutshimba, Tshinwevha
Misapplied or old scientific names: Aberia tristis, Aberia zeyheri, Dovyalis revoluta, Dovyalis tristis
Dovyalis zeyheri, commonly known as the Wild Apricot or Apricot Sourberry, is a versatile indigenous South African tree. This small to medium-sized evergreen or deciduous tree is notable for its thorny branches, decorative foliage, and bright orange, edible fruits. A peculiar and sometimes strong carrion-like smell can be emitted from its leaves at certain times.
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Distinguishing features
Small to medium-sized tree, typically 2-13 metres tall.
Young branches are often covered with hairs and bear long, straight spines up to 60 mm.
Leaves are glossy, dark green, and have a leathery texture, with young leaves being soft and velvety.
Leaves can emit a strong, carrion-like smell at certain times.
Produces bright orange, oval, velvety fruits up to 25 mm long.
Overall appearance:
Dovyalis zeyheri is a small to medium-sized tree, generally evergreen but can also be deciduous depending on location. It has a distinctive appearance with a often multi-stemmed growth habit and thorny branches.
Height:
Typically grows between 2 and 13 metres tall.
Width:
Forms a crown that can spread several metres, depending on growing conditions and whether it is single- or multi-stemmed.
Leaves:
Glossy, dark green, alternate, and have a leathery texture.
Young leaves are soft and velvety.
At certain times, the leaves can emit a strong smell resembling carrion.
Flowers:
Small, inconspicuous, and greenish-yellow. Dovyalis zeyheri is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. Only female trees will produce fruit.
Flowering season:
Flowers from late winter to early summer, generally from August to December.
Fruits:
Bright orange, oval-shaped berries with a velvety texture, reaching up to 25 mm long.
They are edible, juicy, and have a sour but refreshing taste.
They contain small seeds and ripen from late summer to autumn, generally from November to May.
Seeds:
Small seeds are contained within the fruit. They can be extracted from ripe fruit and sown for propagation.
Bark:
Light grey-brown, becoming rough and flaking on older trees.
Stems:
The stem can be single- or multi-stemmed. Young branches are covered with hairs.
Thorns:
Long, straight spines are usually present on young branches, reaching up to 60 mm in length. These sharp thorns contribute to the plant's use as a security hedge.
Roots:
The wild apricot does not have an aggressive root system, making it suitable for gardens.
Soil type:
Tolerant of various soil types including sandy, clay, and loamy soils. It grows well in soil to which compost has been added.
Aspect:
Grows well in either full sun or light shade. It is drought-resistant and tolerant of moderate frost, though young plants may need protection.
Edibility:
The fruit is edible. It has a sour but refreshing taste and is eaten by both people and animals. It makes a good jelly, though some sweetening is usually required.
Toxicity:
No information regarding the toxicity of Dovyalis zeyheri was found for humans, though specific parts like seeds are not mentioned as toxic. It's generally consumed for its fruit.
Uses:
Edible Fruit: The primary use is for its fruit, which can be eaten fresh or made into jams and jellies.
Security Hedge: Its long, sharp spines make it an excellent choice for planting along perimeters to deter intruders.
Wildlife Garden Tree: Provides fruit for birds and thorns offer protection for bird nests.
Ornamental: Has decorative foliage and is an attractive addition to gardens.
Ecology:
Birds: Birds such as barbets, louries, hornbills, and mousebirds relish the fruit, aiding in seed dispersal. The thorns provide protective nesting sites for birds.
Butterflies: The caterpillars of the African Leopard Butterfly (Phalanta phalantha) feed on the leaves of Dovyalis zeyheri, making it a larval host plant.
Habitat: In the wild, it is often found growing on termite mounds in areas with high clay content. It also occurs in bushveld, woodlands, and evergreen forest margins.
Pollination: Its small, greenish-yellow flowers attract insects, facilitating pollination.
Distribution and habitat:
The Wild Apricot is widespread in the more easterly parts of South Africa and central and eastern Zimbabwe.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West.
Habitat: Occurs in bushveld and woodlands, particularly in rocky areas. It also sometimes grows along the margins of evergreen forests. It is well-adapted to the summer rainfall areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Dovyalis is based on a Greek word meaning "spear," referring to the plant's characteristic thorns.
The specific name zeyheri honours K.L.P. Zeyher, a German botanist who was active in South Africa in the early 19th century.
Historical aspects:
This tree has long been a part of the natural ecosystems of Southern Africa, providing food and habitat for wildlife. Its use by local communities for its edible fruit, though sour, is also part of its history.
Interesting facts
This tree has a unique superpower: its leaves can sometimes smell strongly like carrion (a dead animal)! Don't worry, it's just the tree doing its thing.
If you plant one, remember to plant a few – you'll need both a boy tree (male flowers) and a girl tree (female flowers) if you want to get those yummy apricots!
The African Leopard Butterfly loves this tree so much, its caterpillars use its leaves as their favourite snack!
Growing tips
Propagation: Dovyalis zeyheri can be grown from fresh seeds. Collect ripe fruit, dry them in a shady place, and remove the seeds. Sow seeds in trays with clean river sand, pressing them into the surface until level, and keep moist.
Planting: Tolerant of moderate frost (protect young plants for the first two years). It is also drought-resistant.
Aspect: Grows well in full sun or light shade.
Soil: Prefers sandy or loamy soil enriched with compost, but adapts to clay soils as well.
Growth Rate: It's a moderate grower, capable of putting on up to 600 mm per year.
Fruiting: Trees typically start bearing fruit after approximately three years. Plant multiple trees to increase your chances of having a fruit-producing female.
Watering: Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Salicaceae (Latin plant name) - Order: Malpighiales