Black ebony, Australian ebony, Queensland ebony
Diospyros humilis

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It has a spreading crown forming a shady tree. It grows 8 m high. The bark is rough and dark. The leaves are alternate and shiny green above and duller underneath. They are 1-3 cm long by 0.5-2.5 cm wide. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Male flowers are in clusters of 3-5. Female flowers usually occur singly. The petals are silky, hairy and 5 mm long. The fruit are berries 11 mm long by 9 mm wide. The fruit is oval and yellow to orange. There is a calyx cup at the base.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in monsoon vine forests. It grows in wetter areas of sandy forests. In tropical Queensland it grows between sea level and 900 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Birimbiri, Brembre, Small-leafed ebony, Yilikerra

Synonyms

Diospyros ferrea var. humilis (R. Br.) Bakh.; Ebenus humilis (R. Br.) Kuntze; Ebenus obovata (R. Br.) Kuntze; Maba humilis R. Br.; Maba obovata R. Br.; Maba ovata F. Muell.;