Diospyros villosa

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can be erect or lie along the ground. It grows 1-4 m high. It can be taller. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are papery and more pale underneath. The leaves are 7-13 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The are rounded at both ends. There are about 5 pairs of side veins. The flowers are yellow. Male flowers can be in groups of 2-3. The female flowers are slightly smaller than the male flowers. The fruit are a flattened oval shape and 3 cm long by about 4 cm wide. They are hairy. There are 3-8 seeds that are 1.5 cm long and dull brown.

The root is used for medicine and as a chew stick.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in dry soils. It grows between sea level to 300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

It is eaten but is not an attractive fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nhachibabane, Nhaurratane

Synonyms

Diospyros villosa var. parvifolia (De Winter) De Winter; Diospyros villosa var. villosa; Royena corylifolia Salisb.; Royena scabra Burm.f.; Royena scandens Burch. ex Hiern.; Royena villosa L.; Royena villosa var. parvifolia De Winter;