Bull's eye
Diospyros brasiliensis
Family: Ebenaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 6-10 m tall. The crown is dense. The trunk is upright and 25-45 cm across. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are 8-16 cm long and 5-9 cm wide. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are green. The fruit is a round berry. They are shiny when ripe. They are 5-7 cm across. The pulp is sweet and fleshy. There are 6-10 seeds.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the broadleaf, semi-deciduous forest in Brazil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil (country/location of origin), South America
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.
There is only a little pulp and it clings close to to seeds.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and put into plastic bags until they soften and the seed can then be removed. The seeds are washed and planted fresh. Seeds germinate in 4-6 weeks. The seedlings can be transplanted into the field in 6-7 months.
In Brazil it flowers August to October and fruit ripen about 2 months later.
Its other names
Local names
Caqui-do-mato, Fruta-de-boi, Jacuiba acu, Olho-de-boi