Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot)

Dovyalis hebecarpa round black fruit hanging on a slender stem close up
Dovyalis hebecarpa hanging round black fruit attached to a thin brown stem

Botanical name: Dovyalis hebecarpa

Common names: Tropical Apricot, Ceylon Gooseberry, Ketembilla

Family: Salicaceae    (Formerly:Flacourtiaceae)

Origin: South Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 10-11

Plant type: Fruit or edible
Fruit type: Fruit or edible
Small tree 10-20 ftPlant used for bonsaiPlant form: Small tree; suitable for bonsai
Plant mature sizeMature height: 10-20 ft
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Thorny or spinyThorns: Thorny or spiny

A small shrubby spiny tree to 15-20ft cultivated for its maroon-purple fruit with acid pulp tasking like gooseberries. Much less thorny than other members of the family. Grows very quickly under ideal conditions. Trees bear fruits in great quantities. Small juicy fruit to 1" around with brown to deep purple velvet skin and deep red acidic pulp, resembling small grape tomatoes in shape. The fruit is usually used in drinks, fresh, either as a flavoring for beverages, or in preserves. Fruits can be eaten out of hand but are usually not for the pulp is very acidic. Plants will tolerate dry and wet soils, although lots of moisture is necessary for proper fruit development. Fruiting occurs from spring to early summer. In some areas tree will bear multiple crops throughout the year. Propagation by seed. Dovyalis abyssinica has the color and flavor of astingent apricot, hence the common name. Cultivated hybrids available.

Similar plants: Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot)


Image gallery: 16 images
Dovyalis hebecarpa purple fruit close up dangling from woody branches with green leaves
Dovyalis hebecarpa purple fruit clusters hang among pointed green leaves on branches
Dovyalis hebecarpa with clusters of dark purple fruit hanging from green leafy branches
Dovyalis hebecarpa branches heavy with round dark purple fruit and light green leaves
Dovyalis hebecarpa purple fruit clusters hanging from thin branches with green leaves
Dovyalis hebecarpa round purple fruit growing in dense clusters on woody branches
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) thick light gray trunk with small green plant leaves
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) shows thick woody trunk growing inside a wide round clay pot
Dovyalis hebecarpa round dark purple fruit hanging from a thin woody branch close up
Dovyalis hebecarpa round purple fruit hanging on a thin wooden branch
Dovyalis hebecarpa purple fruit close up with deep crimson juicy pulp inside
Dovyalis hebecarpa round fruit showing dark purple skin and red juicy interior
Dovyalis hebecarpa dark purple fruit close up with a yellow identification tag
Dovyalis hebecarpa fruit with purple skin and small yellow speckles near labels
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) green leaves on a woody branch close up detail
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) leaves arranged along a thin woody stem with green foliage
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) green leaves on branches
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) showing shiny green leaves along thin woody branches.
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) with yellow flower clusters and green leaves, close up view.
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) with delicate yellow flower clusters nestled among shiny green leaves.
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) green and orange fruit close up hanging from a woody branch.
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) fruit hanging from a branch showing various ripening stages of color.
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) green fruit hanging on a branch in a close up.
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) green fruit hanging from slender branches with light foliage.
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) green and brown fruit hanging from a branch in close up.
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) ripening fruit clustered on branches amidst small leaves and light yellow flowers.
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) green fruit close up on a thin woody branch
Dovyalis hebecarpa (Tropical Apricot) green young fruit growing on thin woody stems and branches
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) orange red fruit close up growing on a tree branch
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) ripe orange and red round fruit hanging from a thin branch
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) orange red fruit close up held in a human hand
Dovyalis abyssinica (Abyssinian Gooseberry) orange and red fruits sit nestled inside an open human hand


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/dovyalis_hebecarpa.htm
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