Diospyros dumetorum

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 5-6 m tall. The slender young branches have a pale brown covering. The leaves are narrowly oval and 2-3 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped or rounded. The male flowers occur as 1-4 together. Female flowers occur singly. The fruit are purple to black berries that are oval and 1.4 cm long by 1 cm across. There are 1-4 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on slopes and in thickets as well as on limestone hills. In southern China it occurs between 700-2,700 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Himalayas, Indochina, SE Asia, Thailand, Tibet

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In China plants flower from April to May and bear fruit October to February.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Diospyros esquirolii H. Lev.; Diospyros mairei H. Lev.; Diospyros mollifolia Rehder & E. H. Wilson; Diospyros striata Fletcher;