Kei Apple

Latin Name: Dovyalis caffra

Other Names: Umkokola, amaqokolo, umkola

Type: Shrub/Small tree

Native to: Africa

Fruit:

Kei apple plants are dioecious and you will usually need to have both male and female shrubs. Sometimes fruit may be produced without pollination (parthenogenesis). The fruits are yellow, 1-1.5" and round, and are abundantly produced on the branches.

Size: The Kei apple grows to 30' tall.

Hardiness: Zones 9-11

Propagation: Seeds, hormone-treated hardwood cuttings

Uses:

The fruit is a great source of Vitamin C. It is often too tart to eat fresh , though some eat it with sugar. It is used to make jellies and desserts.

Care should be taken when planting a kei apple - it has allelopathic effects on other plants.