Dovyalis revoluta
Thom.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Francois du Randt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Francois du Randt
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Francois du Randt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A shrub or small tree which loses its leaves during the year. It grows to 5 m tall. It has spines 6 cm long. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are 1.5-5 cm long. The flowers are separately male and female. The male flowers are light green and in groups of 2-6. The female flowers are yellow and occur singly. The calyx of the female flower is divided into 5-7 lobes which are curled back. The fruit is round and 2 cm across. There are 2 seeds. The seeds are densely woolly. The fruit is orange-red when ripe.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten.
Distribution
It grows in sand forests.
Where It Grows
Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa,
Notes
There are about 22 Dovyalis species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.
References (1)
- Palmer, E and Pitman, N., 1972, Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town p 1566
