Shaggy-fruited dovyalis
Dovyalis macrocalyx

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

An under shrub in the forest. It grows 3-8 m high. The plant has many branches and often these droop over. The bark is smooth and grey. It is often dotted with breathing pores. It has spines. These are single, straight and needle like. They are 1-6 cm long. They occur beside the leaves. The leaves are thin, long and oval. The leaves occur in clusters. They can be 4-9 cm long and with 3-5 veins. These are slightly raised on both surfaces. The edges of the leaves have teeth but these can be rounded. The leaf stalk is short. The flowers occur as either one or a few together near the leaves or spines. The flowers are hairy and yellow-green. They have about 20 easy to see stamens. The female flowers have hairs on the calyx lobes. The female flowers occur singly while the male flowers grow several together. The fruit are oval and about 2 cm long. They are orange red and fleshy. They are edible. The fruit hang down and have an enlarged layer of red leaves (calyx) bent back and with a fringe of sticky hairs. The fruit have a strong distinctive smell. There are 2 woolly covered seeds inside.

There are about 22 Dovyalis species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in moist tropical rainforest but also in drier forests and grassland. It suits humid locations. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 1,500 m altitude or higher. It grows in well-drained deep, sandy loams. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 1,100-1,900 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit is eaten. Fruit can be used for jams and jellies. The skin is removed and the fruit boiled. The young green fruit can also be used in pickles.

A useful fruit tree. The fruit are especially enjoyed by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are often self sown. They can be grown from seed. Fruit are collected form the tree when ripe and the seed removed. It is best to use fresh seed.

The fruit are ripe September to November in Zimbabwe and March to June in Tanzania.

Its other names

Local names

Amatagyengyere, Cheptabirbiriet, Imitegengeri, Munyhee, Mutunku, Mzuyuyu, N'tudza, Olmorogo, Umutegeengeri, Vumahodzi

Synonyms

Aberia macrocalyx Oliv.; Dovyalis chirindensis Engl.; Dovyalis glandulosissima Gilg.; Dovyalis salicifolia Gilg.;