Author Topic: Dovyalis abyssinica dream  (Read 1279 times)

Ariel

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Dovyalis abyssinica dream
« on: January 15, 2018, 04:03:59 AM »
Please help me to wave a dream concerning Dovyalis abyssinica.

The dream arose after reading the paper:  Physico-chemical Evaluation of Dovyalis, published in Proc. Fla. Hort. Soc. 127:14-17. 2014 with nice photos and historical data.

To the best of my understanding and experience in Ethiopia and its fauna and fruits trees, the D. abyssinica fruit has yellow skin and yellow flesh and is rather similar to Dovyalis caffra also by its taste. The main difference is in its fruit appearance. It is much larger sized, 4-5 cms in diameter. (I did not conduct DNA tests). For sure the D. caffra and D. Abyssinca grow near each other and may cross-breed in its African homeland.

However, in various google-directed sources and even scientific papers from Florida, the parent father/mother D. abyssinica is defined almost like its X offspring - the tropical apricot, the famous alleged cross Dovyalis X hybrid, that is thought to be naturally produced in Miami Florida with famous Ketembila - mother D. hebecarpa. In fact it  was said that various D. X types originated naturally in that Garden of Eden at Floridam and the specific D. X was crowned as the original  crown prince - Tropical Apricot

My dream challenges this Floridan assumption.

I read many descriptions of  D. abyssinica, from various sources , these were simply replicated-duplicated-revised-copied from a certain source.....and I think that even a few scientists (not from Africa, but from the great USA) made such a possible mistake describing the D. abyssinica and named it also as Tropical Apricot.

Before approaching the Kew Royal Botanical Garden, will any Dovyalis specialist here – solve my dream?

Agronomist Ariel Shai
Israel



pineislander

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Ariel

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Re: Dovyalis abyssinica dream
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2018, 03:07:15 PM »
Thank you so much for the references.  I am not convinced about proper identification of the  D. abyssinica imported to the USA. Certainly the Dovyalis X is interesting and I enjoy growing a seedling now 32 years old. It gives in some seasons only male flowers, or female flowers and sometimes a few complete - bisexual flowers. However - I doubt if D. abyssinica is one of its parents.
It was written that one Mr. Silber from Florida selected a good sweet Kie apple, propagated it by cuttings & grafting and named it: Arcadian Zulu...and I wonder if this variety is still around.
In fact I will be happy to hear from any Dovyalis grower here that found or selected or saw an outstanding Dovyalis fruit.

luc

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Re: Dovyalis abyssinica dream
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2018, 05:43:20 PM »
Hi Ariel , nice to see you here , unfortunately I cannot help , I have all the " classical " Dovyalis growing ( lost the key apple ) the only one that gave me fruit so far is the Florida apricot and the black one , just a few fruits , I must admit I planted them in the worst possible area ...way too wet ....Correct me if I am wrong , they should be easy to propagate from cuttings....right ?   BTW , how's your donkey ?
Luc Vleeracker
Puerto Vallarta
Mexico , Pacific coast.
20 degrees north