Dovyalis caffra stems

Dovyalis caffra may grow multiple stems as seen here. The bark is initially smooth and silvery pale grey, later becoming dark, rough, fissuring and flaking into square sections.

The branching stems are armed with strong spines among the leaves, up to 6 cm long. A few of the spines may remain on older stems (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Pooley, 1993).