Cauliflorous ebony tree
Diospyros cauliflora

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 17-24 m tall. The trunk has swollen knobs on it. Flowers develop from these. The twigs have red brown hairs. The bark is black. The leaves are broadly oval and 10-40 cm long by 3-13 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped. It tapers to the tip. There are 5-14 pairs of veins. The flowering shoots are borne on twigs on the trunks and branches. Male flowers are small and in groups. The female flowers also occur in groups. The fruit are round and about 2.5 cm across. They have lobes and these each contain a seed. There can be up to 4 seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs at low to medium altitudes in forests. It grows up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flesh of the ripe fruit is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Do-an hoa-o-than, Krot-kha-mao, Mai, Pohon eben kayu arang, Thao saen pom, Tubo

Synonyms

Diospyros caliginosa Ridl.; Diospyros fasciculiflora Merr.; Diospyros faucium Lemonte; Diospyros perforata Hiern.; Diospyros pergamena Hiern.; Diospyros pulgarensis (Elmer) Merr.; Diospyros refracta Hiern.; Diospyros treubii Hochr.; Diospyros trunciflora Ridl.; Diospyros urdanetensis Elmer; Diospyros zollingeri Hiern; Rinorea pulgarensis Elmer;