Coastal kei apple
Dovyalis longispina
Family: Salicaceae
What it is like
A small to medium sized tree. It grows to 15 m high. The bark is grey to yellowish-brown. It is smooth but develops fine cracks along its length with age. The young branches have slender, straight spines. These can be 8 cm long. The leaves are oval or nearly round. They are 2-9 cm long by 1.3-6 cm wide. The edges roll under. The leaf stalk is stout and 2 mm long. The flowers are very small and white or pale yellow. They occur in clusters in the axils of leaves. Often there are 2-6 in a cluster. The fruit is round and about 1.5 cm long. It is fleshy and bright orange to red with white flecks. The fruit are edible.
There are about 22 Dovyalis species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.
Where it is found
It occurs in coastal and dune forest and open woodland. It is rare in Swaziland.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are slightly acid.
It is a commonly used fruit in Mozambique.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Natal dovyalis, Nhangantsume, Nhussuma