Dovyalis abyssinica: Difference between revisions
Wikifruit: independently reviewed article maintenance |
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! Fruit | ! Fruit | ||
| Edible, acidic fruit | | Edible, acidic fruit | ||
|- | |||
! Mature size | |||
| Commonly about 6 m; up to 10 m<sup id="cite_ref-1">[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | |||
|- | |- | ||
! Years to fruit | ! Years to fruit | ||
| | | About 4–5 years from seed; variable with growing conditions<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | ||
|- | |- | ||
! | ! Propagation | ||
| | | Seed, layering, grafting or shield-budding<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | ||
|} | |} | ||
''Dovyalis abyssinica'' is an accepted species in the family Salicaceae.<sup id="cite_ref- | ''Dovyalis abyssinica'' is an accepted species in the family Salicaceae.<sup id="cite_ref-2">[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup> It is an East African shrub or small tree that produces an acidic edible fruit, with African gooseberry, koshim, and koshommii recorded as common names.<sup id="cite_ref-3">[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-4">[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup> | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
A spiny evergreen shrub or small tree, ''Dovyalis abyssinica'' commonly reaches about 6 m and can grow to 10 m. Its eastern African habitats include highland and riparian forest, dry evergreen forest, bushland and rocky slopes, across roughly 600–3,050 m elevation.<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | |||
== Cultivation == | == Cultivation == | ||
| Line 43: | Line 46: | ||
=== Soil and water === | === Soil and water === | ||
Use fertile soil rich in organic matter with good drainage. Horticultural guidance favors noncalcareous soil, although native habitats include rocky limestone slopes; this is not a universal pH threshold. The plant occurs in both dry and wetter tropical environments.<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | |||
=== Sun and humidity === | === Sun and humidity === | ||
Native sites range from forest to bushland and exposed rocky slopes. Habitat-based cultivation inference: match initial shelter and exposure to the provenance rather than assuming that all seedlings require either deep shade or an exposed position.<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | |||
=== Seasonal changes === | === Seasonal changes === | ||
The | The native range includes both dry and wetter tropical habitats. Habitat-based cultivation inference: adjust supplemental water to local rainfall and root-zone moisture rather than imposing a dry rest on every plant.<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | ||
== Propagation == | == Propagation == | ||
Seed propagation and layering are possible. Grafting or shield-budding selected material onto seedling rootstocks can preserve a desirable selection. Seed-grown plants may begin bearing at about 4–5 years; that interval is not a guarantee for every climate or propagation method.<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | |||
== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest == | == Flowering, fruiting, and harvest == | ||
The | The plants are dioecious: male and female plants are needed for fruit production. Fruit is about 25 mm across, with thin skin and juicy flesh. Fully ripe fruit can be used for jelly.<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | ||
== Fruit and uses == | == Fruit and uses == | ||
The fruit | The acidic fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. Fully ripe fruit is useful for jelly; the thin skin and soft flesh distinguish it from fruits with a hard protective rind.<sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
* <span id="cite_note-1"></span>[[#cite_ref-1|↑]] '''[1]''' [https:// | * <span id="cite_note-1"></span>[[#cite_ref-1|↑]] '''[1]''' [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dovyalis+abyssinica Ken Fern, Useful Tropical Plants: Dovyalis abyssinica]. Accessed 2026-09-20. | ||
* <span id="cite_note- | * <span id="cite_note-2"></span>[[#cite_ref-2|↑]] '''[2]''' [https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/match?name=Dovyalis%20abyssinica GBIF species match: Dovyalis abyssinica]. | ||
* <span id="cite_note- | * <span id="cite_note-3"></span>[[#cite_ref-3|↑]] '''[3]''' [https://plants.jstor.org/compilation/dovyalis.abyssinica Dovyalis abyssinica in Global Plants on JSTOR]. | ||
* <span id="cite_note- | * <span id="cite_note-4"></span>[[#cite_ref-4|↑]] '''[4]''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dovyalis_abyssinica Dovyalis abyssinica]. | ||
== Image credits == | == Image credits == | ||
* ''Dovyalis abyssinica - Fruit and Spice Park - Homestead, Florida - DSC09041.jpg'': photograph by Daderot, own work; CC0 / Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication. [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dovyalis_abyssinica_-_Fruit_and_Spice_Park_-_Homestead,_Florida_-_DSC09041.jpg Individual file page] and [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en license details]. Caption: Dovyalis abyssinica plant specimen at Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead, Florida. | * ''Dovyalis abyssinica - Fruit and Spice Park - Homestead, Florida - DSC09041.jpg'': photograph by Daderot, own work; CC0 / Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication. [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dovyalis_abyssinica_-_Fruit_and_Spice_Park_-_Homestead,_Florida_-_DSC09041.jpg Individual file page] and [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en license details]. Caption: Dovyalis abyssinica plant specimen at Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead, Florida. | ||
Latest revision as of 00:43, 21 September 2026
| |
| Scientific name | Dovyalis abyssinica |
|---|---|
| Common names | African gooseberry; koshim; koshommii |
| Genus | Dovyalis |
| Family | Salicaceae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Growth form | Shrub or small tree |
| Native range | East Africa |
| Fruit | Edible, acidic fruit |
| Mature size | Commonly about 6 m; up to 10 m[1] |
| Years to fruit | About 4–5 years from seed; variable with growing conditions[1] |
| Propagation | Seed, layering, grafting or shield-budding[1] |
Dovyalis abyssinica is an accepted species in the family Salicaceae.[2] It is an East African shrub or small tree that produces an acidic edible fruit, with African gooseberry, koshim, and koshommii recorded as common names.[3][4]
Description[edit | edit source]
A spiny evergreen shrub or small tree, Dovyalis abyssinica commonly reaches about 6 m and can grow to 10 m. Its eastern African habitats include highland and riparian forest, dry evergreen forest, bushland and rocky slopes, across roughly 600–3,050 m elevation.[1]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Use fertile soil rich in organic matter with good drainage. Horticultural guidance favors noncalcareous soil, although native habitats include rocky limestone slopes; this is not a universal pH threshold. The plant occurs in both dry and wetter tropical environments.[1]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Native sites range from forest to bushland and exposed rocky slopes. Habitat-based cultivation inference: match initial shelter and exposure to the provenance rather than assuming that all seedlings require either deep shade or an exposed position.[1]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The native range includes both dry and wetter tropical habitats. Habitat-based cultivation inference: adjust supplemental water to local rainfall and root-zone moisture rather than imposing a dry rest on every plant.[1]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed propagation and layering are possible. Grafting or shield-budding selected material onto seedling rootstocks can preserve a desirable selection. Seed-grown plants may begin bearing at about 4–5 years; that interval is not a guarantee for every climate or propagation method.[1]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The plants are dioecious: male and female plants are needed for fruit production. Fruit is about 25 mm across, with thin skin and juicy flesh. Fully ripe fruit can be used for jelly.[1]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The acidic fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. Fully ripe fruit is useful for jelly; the thin skin and soft flesh distinguish it from fruits with a hard protective rind.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ [1] Ken Fern, Useful Tropical Plants: Dovyalis abyssinica. Accessed 2026-09-20.
- ↑ [4] Dovyalis abyssinica.
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Dovyalis abyssinica - Fruit and Spice Park - Homestead, Florida - DSC09041.jpg: photograph by Daderot, own work; CC0 / Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication. Individual file page and license details. Caption: Dovyalis abyssinica plant specimen at Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead, Florida.
