Diospyros conzattii

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-20 m tall. The trunk can be 2.5 m across. It loses its leaves during the year. The trunk can be fluted. The bark is grey and shiny. The leaves are alternate. The leaf blade is narrowly oval or sword shaped and 4-10 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are papery. The leaves taper to a short tip. Male flowers can be in groups of 1-3 and female flowers occur singly. The fruit are 4.5 cm long by 5.5 cm wide. They are flattened. They are green when young and black when ripe. There can be 10 seeds.

There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It has been recorded from 900 to 2,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Costa Rica, Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

The fruit are enjoyed. They are occasionally cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Chapote, Uzxaca, Zapote negro, Zapote negro silvestre, Zapotillo

Synonyms

Diospyros costaricensis Provance & A. C. Sanders; Diospyros gomeziorum Provance & A. C. Sanders; Diospyros pergamentacea Lundell; Diospyros riojae Gomez Pompa; Diospyros tuxtlensis Provance & A. C. Sanders;