Dovyalis (Abyssinian), African gooseberry
Dovyalis abyssinica

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A medium sized shrub. It grows up to 10 m tall. It has many branches. The trunk is up to 20 cm thick. Young branches can have spines. The bark is grey brown. There are many raised lenticels. The leaves are oval and slender. They are 2.5-9 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The edges of the leaves can be wavy or jagged. Plants are separately male and female. Flowers are green. Male flowers are covered in soft hairs. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. Female flowers occur singly. The fruit are small and orange. They are round and have pale dots. They are up to 2 cm across. The flesh is yellow. They are very acid and have a strong smell. The seeds are few and flat.

The fruit are rich in Vitamin C. There are about 15-22 Dovyalis species. Most have edible fruit. They are mostly in Africa and Sri Lanka. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to NE Africa. Plants grow between 1000 and 3000 m altitude in Ethiopia and between 2000 and 2700 m altitude in Kenya. A rainfall between 1000 and 1700 mm is probably suitable. It suits hot dry climates. It grows poorly on limestone soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cuba, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Socotra, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit is eaten fresh and used in jam. It is also used for jelly and fruit punch.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown by seed or cuttings. Fruit are normally picked from the tree. Fruits do not store well and bruise easily.

It takes 7-8 months between flowering and fruit maturity. In Tanzania fruit are collected from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Abyssinian gooseberry, Aihada, Akoku, Akudho, Ankakute, Dhugoo, Gibin, Imolo, Kimukiet, Kinokuet, Korqiicho, Koshim, Koshimii, Koshum, Kudah, Limoro, Longo, Mahhahhari, Mbuchi, Mgola, Mmango, Mnzuyuyu, Msambwa, Muirungi, Mukambura, Mundariwa, Mundililwa, Nokok, Nukchat, Ol-morogi, Ongolatz, Sangana, Songla, Songola

Synonyms

Aberia abyssinica (A. Rich.) Hochst.; Dovyalis engleri Gilg.; Roumea abyssinica A. Rich.;