Diospyros hasseltii

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 20 m high. It can be a shrub 2-4 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and 12-35 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. The flowers have 4 or 5 flower parts. Trees can have one or both sexes. The fruit is a berry. They are about 2-3.5 cm across. They have black hairs pressed against the fruit near the base. They are on long fruit stalks. The seeds are flattened oblong shape. They are 1.5-2 cm long by 0.7-1 cm wide and 0.2-0.3 cm thick.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow in forests on limestone hills. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds are sweet with a slightly sharp taste.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants flower in October to December and fruit in March to May.

Its other names

Local names

Baneng, Hei mao shi, Kasemak, Merangat, Semak, Tako-chan, Tako, Thi hasselt, Tubloab prey

Synonyms

Diospyros horsfieldii Hiern;