Dovyalis hebecarpa

(Gaerdner) Warb.

Ceylon gooseberry

Salicaceae Edible: Fruit 129 iNaturalist observations

food

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Summary

Dovyalis hebecarpa, with common names Ceylon gooseberry, ketembilla, and kitambilla, is a plant in the genus Dovyalis, native to Sri Lanka and southern India. The fruit are often eaten fresh, or made into jam. Some cultivars have been selected for being thornless (making harvesting easier) and for larger fruit. The tropical apricot, or ketcot, is a hybrid between D. hebecarpa and D. abyssinica that was developed in Florida in 1953 and is also cultivated for its fruit.

Description

A large shrub. It grows 5-7 m high. It has many branches. There are long sharp spines on young plants. The leaves are velvety and pale green. They are 10 cm long. They have a wavy uneven surface. The stalks and veins are red. Plants are separately male and female. The flowers are green. They are in the axils of leaves. The fruit is small, dark purple and sour. They are 2 cm across. The skin is brown and velvety when ripe. The pulp is deep red and acidic.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten fresh despite being acidic, and are used in drinks, preserves, and jam. They are also used to flavor meat and fish.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten fresh but are acidic. They are used in drinks and preserves. They make good jam. They are used to flavour meat and fish.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses mentioned in data.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the tropical lowlands. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. It is a tropical plant. Plants can tolerate both dry and wet soils. Good moisture levels are important for good fruit development. It occurs naturally in Sri Lanka. It grows to 1,300 m above sea level. It does not do well in the humid tropics. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India*, Indonesia, Israel, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka*, St Lucia, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. Because trees are male or female it is often best to graft buds of appropriate male and female trees onto the one rootstock.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in individual pots. Layering. Graft or shield-bud desirable varieties on to seedling rootstocks.

Production

Plants can grow very quickly under ideal conditions. Both male and female trees are needed. Trees produce large quantities of fruit. Trees can produce several crops throughout the year.

Other Information

It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Notes

There are about 22 Dovyalis species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	82.8	264	63	1.2	105	98	1.2	—

Synonyms

Aberia gardneri ClosRumea hebecarpa Gardner

Also Known As

Aberia, Ceylon plum, Groselha-do-ceilao, Jung-pung, Ketembilla, Kitambilla, Kitembilla, Naywe-po, Pohon beri seilon, Quetembilla

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Coronel, R.E., 1982, Fruit Collections in the Philippines. IBPGR Newsletter p 6

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