Dovyalis
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Dovyalis is a genus of shrubs and small trees. Recent genetic evidence has shown the genus to belong to the family Salicaceae;[1] formerly it was classified in the family Flacourtiaceae. The 15 species are native to Africa (Ethiopia south to South Africa) and southern Asia (India, Sri Lanka). Some are cultivated for their fruit.
Description
Species of the genus Dovyalis are dense, thorny plants growing to 3–6 m tall, with sharp, 3–6 cm long stem spines in the leaf axils. Buds at the base of the spine produce clusters of alternately arranged simple ovate leaves 3–10 cm long.
The flowers are inconspicuous, solitary or clustered, with no petals. They are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. The fruit is an edible, yellow to purple globose berry 2–4 cm diameter, containing several small seeds. They are very juicy and with an acidic flavour.
Species
The following species are recognised in the genus Dovyalis:[2]
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- Dovyalis abyssinica (A.Rich.) Warb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Warb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis cameroonensis Cheek & NgolanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis hebecarpa (Gardner) Warb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis hispidula WildScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis keniensis E.V.WilliamsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis longispina (Harv.) Warb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis lucida SimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis macrocalyx (Oliv.) Warb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis macrocarpa BampsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis mollis (Oliv.) Warb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis revoluta ThomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis rhamnoides (Burch. ex DC.) Burch. ex Harv. & Sond.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis rotundifolia (Thunb.) Harv.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis spinosissima GilgScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis verrucosa (Hochst.) Lign. & BeyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis xanthocarpa BullockScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis zenkeri GilgScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dovyalis zeyheri (Sond.) Warb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Cultivation and uses
Several species are grown for their fruit; D. caffra (Umkokola or Kei-apple) is popular in southern Africa, and D. hebecarpa (Kitembilla) in India and Sri Lanka. Some, notably D. abyssinica, are also grown as ornamental plants and as hedges, where the spines are valued for deterring intrusion by livestock or burglars.
The tropical apricot, or ketcot, is a hybrid between D. hebecarpa and D. abyssinica that was developed in Florida in 1953 and is cultivated for its fruit.
References
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