Key apple

Where does Key apple grow?

Found in: Africa, Albania, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Central America, Cuba, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malta, Mozambique, Namibia, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Portugal, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: The fruit are rich in Vitamin C. There are about 22 Dovyalis species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Status: A popular fruit.

Growing Key apple

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed are collected from fruit. The ripe fruit are cracked and allowed to rot for one week before removing the seed. There are about 20 seeds in each fruit. The seeds should be sown immediately in a nursery bed. Seedlings come through the soil in 12 days. When bushes are established they need to have their crown thinned out to allow more fruit to be produced. The trees can be used as a fence or hedge. Trees can be grown from cuttings, air layering and grafting. It can be grown as a hedge.

Edible Uses: The fruit are eaten fresh and used in jams and desserts. The fruit are acidic. Because the fruit are high in pectins they can be added in small amounts to help jams to jell and set. The green fruit are also pickled.

Production: Trees produce fruit in 5-6 years from seed and 2-3 years from cuttings. Fruit need to be fully ripe when harvested. Fruit can be harvested after they fall. Fruit mature in 90 days.

Nutrition Info

Key apple Photos

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