Kei apple (umkokola) Dovyalis caffra
Kei apple (umkokola) (Dovyalis caffra) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Salicaceae family, native to Eastern South Africa and Eswatini (Kei River region to Limpopo). It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Kei apple (umkokola) in your garden →
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Kei apple (umkokola) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Salicaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about November for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (very sour; jams, jelly, with sugar) |
| Native to | Eastern South Africa and Eswatini (Kei River region to Limpopo) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Kei apple (umkokola) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; long, sharp spines.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Kei apple (umkokola)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Kei apple (umkokola)
- How far apart should I plant Kei apple (umkokola)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Kei apple (umkokola) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Kei apple (umkokola) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Kei apple (umkokola)?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Kei apple (umkokola) flower?
- From about November for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Kei apple (umkokola) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; long, sharp spines.
- What grows well with Kei apple (umkokola)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Kei apple (umkokola). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- A spiny, very tough evergreen used as an impenetrable security hedge; it tolerates salt wind and drought. Males and females are separate plants. Apricot-coloured fruit ripen in late summer.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Box-leaf azara (vanilla tree) Azara microphylla
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica