Black ebony, Cape ebony, Ebony tree
Euclea pseudebenus

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 4.5-9 m tall. The branches are slender and drooping. The trunk is 30 cm across. The bark is rough and dark grey. It is deeply cracked. The leaves are slender and leathery. They are often slightly curved. They are 1.3-5 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The narrow at both ends and the tip is pointed. The leaf stalk is short. The flowers have male and female flowers on separate trees. The male flowers are usually in small groups and the female flowers single. The fruit are round and pea sized and black when ripe. They usually have one seed inside. They are edible.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in desert and semidesert regions in Africa. It is often along dry creek beds, forming a dark green ribbon along the banks. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They have a bitter-sweet flavour.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abikwa, Ebbehout, Embolo, Omuzema

Synonyms

Euclea angustifolia Benth.; Diospyros pseudebenus (E. Mey. ex A. DC.) Parment.;