Barrel ebony tree
Diospyros diepenhorstii

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows up to 10-25 m high. It has slender branches. The outside branches either go out horizontal or hang down. The leaves are alternate, oblong and scattered. The leaves are narrowly oblong and 10-40 cm long by 3-12 cm wide. The flowers are usually clustered on the stem. The fruit are compressed hard, shiny and green. The fruit is oval or pear shaped. It is 6-10 cm long by 5-6 cm wide. There are 8-16 seeds.

There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland forests. It occurs in the Philippines only in the forest adjoining Laguna and Manila Bay. It grows up to 700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The juicy portion of the fruit is eaten raw. They are acidic.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It flowers and fruits most of the year.

Its other names

Local names

Arang, Balarowin, Belimbing utan, Buey, Jambu dipo, Pohon eben gentong, Thi rapenhorst

Synonyms

Diospyros copelandii Merr.; Diospyros juppii Merr.; Diospyros pyrifera Ridley;