Black sapote, Black persimmon
Diospyros nigra

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. The crown is rounded and the tree is evergreen. It grows 10-26 m high. The bark is black. The leaves are glossy and dark green. They are 10-15 cm long. The flowers are of one sex and are yellowish green. The female flowers occur singly and the male flowers in small clusters. The fruit are large and dark green to black. They are 6-12 cm across. The flesh is dark chocolate coloured, when ripe. It is edible with a sweet taste. The fruit may be seedless but often have 5 seeds.

Plants have 3-4 x the Vitamin C of oranges. There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland and mountain forests up to 1,800 m above sea level. It suits hot tropical lowland areas. In Mexico trees grow from sea level to 1800 m altitude. They will grow in most soils. Fully grown trees can tolerate 1-2°C of frost. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also good for desserts. They are used in pies, preserves, ice cream and cakes and other desserts. They are used for jam. They are also fermented into a brandy like drink.

It is a commercially cultivated fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are usually grown from seed. Seed germinate 30 days after sowing. Seedlings are transplanted into pots and into the field after 1-2 years. Young healthy stems can be air-layered. Trees can be shield budded. A spacing of 6-8 m is suitable. Plants can also be grafted.

It is slow growing. Fruit are produced 5 year after planting. The fruit are ripe when the calyxes around the stem start to lift. Fruit mature in 200-300 days.

Its other names

Local names

Biaahui, Biaqui, Bom-rza, Bonza, Caca-poule, Chocolate pudding fruit, Cuputishim Ebano, Ebano, Guayabote, Hunchuikle, Inu, Junchuikl, Malisuuruata, Ma-ta-mui, Mueque, Munec, Muneque, Pillahui, Pohon kesemek hitam, Sapote negro, Saual, Sawalh, Sirunda-urata, Ta-toho, Talang-gubat, Tauch, Tauch-ya, Tauche, Tilzapot, Tilzapoti, Totocuitlzapoti, Tsupilul, Tzapultiltic, Xency, Xinde, Zapote negro, Zapote prieto

Synonyms

The correct name is now Diospyros nigra (J. F. Gmel.) Perrier Diospyros digyna Jacq.; Diospyros edulis Lodd. ex Sweet; Diospyros nigra (Blanco) Blanco; Diospyros obtusifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.; Diospyros obtusifolius Humb. & Bonpl.; Diospyros pauciflora C. B.Rob. [Illegitimate]; Diospyros revoluta Poir.; Diospyros sapota Roxb. [Illegitimate]; Diospyros tilzapotl Sesse & Moc.; Sapota nigra Blanco; Sapota nigra J. F. Gmelin;