请输入您要查询的百科知识:

 

词条 Dovyalis caffra
释义

  1. Cultivation and uses

  2. Ecology

  3. References

{{Italic title}}{{More citations needed|date=August 2008}}{{taxobox
|name = Dovyalis caffra
|image = Dovyalis caffra01.jpg
|image_caption = Dovyalis caffra flowers
|regnum = Plantae
|unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
|unranked_classis = Eudicots
|unranked_ordo = Rosids
|ordo = Malpighiales
|familia = Salicaceae
|genus = Dovyalis
|species = D. caffra
|binomial = Dovyalis caffra
|binomial_authority = Warb.
|}}

Dovyalis caffra (Warb.), Aberia caffra (Harv. & Sond) the Umkokola, Kei apple, Kai apple, or Kau apple,[1] is a small to medium-sized tree, native to southern Africa. Its distribution extends from the Kei River in the south, from which the common name derives, northwards along the eastern side of the continent to Tanzania. The ripe fruits are tasty, reminiscent of a small apple.

It is a usually found in dry types of woodland when it grows to 6 m tall. In moister types of open woodland it reaches its greatest size of about 8–9 metres. It is a rather straggly tree, 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 3–6 cm long.

The flowers are inconspicuous, solitary or clustered, with no petals. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants, though some female plants are parthenogenetic.

The fruit is an edible bright yellow or orange globose berry 2.5–4 cm diameter, with the skin and flesh of a uniform colour and containing several small seeds. Production is often copious, weighing down the branches during the summer. They are juicy, tasty and very acidic.

Cultivation and uses

A traditional food plant in the areas it occurs, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[2]

Kei-apples are often eaten fresh, or sprinkled with sugar to complement their natural acidity. Aside from being eaten fresh, the fruit can be made into jam, used in desserts, or pickled (their natural acidity means vinegar is not needed).

Although it is native to southern Africa, it has also been introduced to the Mediterranean, California, Florida and other regions with subtropical and warm temperate climates. In these places it is most often grown as an ornamental plant, being popular as an impenetrable hedge. It is salt and drought-tolerant, so useful for coastal landscaping in dry regions.

Although a subtropical species, the Kei apple is able to survive temperatures as low as −6 °C. Gardeners who want fruit require a female plant; a fertile female plant and fertile male plant is ideal. Kei apples are propagated by seed. Plants will bear about four years later.

Ecology

The species is invasive in New Caledonia.[3]

{{commons category|Dovyalis caffra}}

References

{{Portal|Trees}}
1. ^{{cite book|last=Sturtevant|first=Edward|title=Sturtevant's notes on edible plants|publisher=J.B. Lyon company, State printers|location=Albany|page=17}}
2. ^{{cite book |authorlink= |author=National Research Council |editor= |others= |title=Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits |url=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11879 |format= |accessdate=2008-07-17 |edition= |series=Lost Crops of Africa |volume=3 |date=2008-01-25 |publisher=National Academies Press |location= |isbn=978-0-309-10596-5 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Kei Apple |chapterurl=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11879&page=103 |quote= |ref= }}
3. ^{{Cite book|url=http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers12-08/010052239.pdf|title=Les espèces exotiques envahissantes de Nouvelle-Calédonie|last=Hequet|first=Vanessa|publisher=|year=2009|isbn=|location=|pages=17|language=French}}
  • {{cite web |title=Dovyalis caffra|work=PlantzAfrika |url=http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/dovycaf.htm|accessdate=2010-01-19}}
  • {{cite web |title=Dovyalis caffra|work=Ornamental trees in Spain. José Manuel Sanchez de Lorenzo Cáceres. |url=http://www.arbolesornamentales.es/Dovyaliscaffra.htm|accessdate=2010-01-19|language=es}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1987504}}

10 : Fruits originating in Africa|Dovyalis|Flora of Southern Africa|Flora of Tanzania|Flora of South Africa|Flora of Mozambique|Crops originating from South Africa|Garden plants of Africa|Drought-tolerant trees|Ornamental trees

随便看

 

开放百科全书收录14589846条英语、德语、日语等多语种百科知识,基本涵盖了大多数领域的百科知识,是一部内容自由、开放的电子版国际百科全书。

 

Copyright © 2023 OENC.NET All Rights Reserved
京ICP备2021023879号 更新时间:2024/9/22 21:37:40