Ceylon Gooseberry, Dovyalis hebecarpa, also known as Ketimbilla and Tropical Apricot, is thought to be an indigenous to Sri Lanka and southern India. Ceylon Gooseberry is a dioecious, supple, arching shrub or small fruit bearing tree, reaching 4-6 meters in height with widely spreading branches that might cover 9 meters of ground and sharp, up to 4cm long spines on the lower branches and trunk.

Dovyalis hebecarpa leaves are gray-green, thin and soft, 5-10 cm long and 1-3 cm wide, alternate, elliptical to ovate, pointed, 7-10cm long, marginal wavy and with pinkish, woolly leafstalks. Flowers are greenish-yellow with no petals, about 1.25cm wide. Male, female and hermaphrodite flowers are borne on individual trees in clusters in the leaf axils.

Ceylon Gooseberry Gruit

The Fruit of the Ceylon Gooseberry is round, 1.5-2.5cm in diameter, with a coating of short, grayish-green, velvety hairs. Skin is orange at first but turns dark purple when mature. The pulp is very juicy, with a flavor similar to gooseberry, purple-red in color containing 9 to 12 small seeds. Ceylon Gooseberry is a very heavy bearer and the fruits are in great abundance.

The plant may bear multiple crops throughout the year at certain areas and fruits can be consumed out of hand but are generally not as the pulp is too acidic. However, they make fabulous jam, jellies and sweetened beverages.

Ceylon Gooseberry Propagation Methods

Plant propagation is by seed. It is a fast growing plant under favorable conditions. Plants will tolerate dry and wet soils, although lots of moisture is needed for proper fruit development. The plant is cultivated on a small scale in numerous parts of the world for its fruit.

Some cultivars have been chosen for being thorn-less and with larger fruit. Dovyalis hebecarpa is a member of the family Salicaceae the genus Dovyalis.

Ceylon Gooseberry, Dovyalis hebecarpra

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