Common star-apple
Diospyros dichrophylla

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. Young plant parts are densely hairy. The leaves are alternate. The blades are sword shaped or narrowly oval. They taper to the base. The edges are slightly curved backwards. The leaves are 5 cm long by 1 cm wide. The flowers occur singly. The flower stalk is 2 cm long. The flowers are cream of white. The fruit are round. They are 2.5 cm across. They are densely velvety.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, St Helena, Swaziland

How it is used for food

Caution: Some claim the fruit is poisonous. The fruit is eaten as a snack. The seeds are used for coffee.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution, seeds - coffee

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Jakkalstolle, Poison star-apple, Tolbos, Umbhongisa, Unchafutane lomnyama

Synonyms

Royena dichrophylla Gand.;