The genus Dovyalis belongs to the family Salicaceae and includes several species of small trees and shrubs. The most well-known species in this genus is Dovyalis afra, commonly known as the Kei-apple. They are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. Many species produce small, round, edible fruits that have a tangy or tart flavour. In some traditional medicinal practices, parts of Dovyalis plants have been used for their potential medicinal properties.

Dovyalis afra (Previously known as Dovyalis caffra and renamed to the more appropriate Dovyalis afra), commonly known as the Kei-apple, is an evergreen, fruit-bearing shrub or small tree indigenous to South Africa that is well suited to the art of bonsai. It can grow up to 5 to 8 metres in height and has glossy, dark green leaves with serrated edges. The small, round fruit of the Kei apple turn bright yellow to orange when ripe are known for their tart and tangy flavour and are often eaten fresh or used to make jams and jellies. They require well-drained soil and are relatively drought-tolerant once established. Dovyalis afra can be cultivated as a border or a screen or can be used to form a hedge around a garden. The flowers and fruit attract insects including bees and butterflies and they also attract many species of birds. The Kei-apple can be propagated from hardwood cuttings provided they are treated with root-stimulating hormone before planting. It has a good growth rate of about 600 mm per year.