Fijian persimmon
Diospyros major

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A small slender tree. It can grow 3-15 m tall. The leaves are alternate and have short leaf stalks. The leaf blades are oblong and rounded at the top and the base. The leaves are 7-21 cm long and 4-17 cm wide. The male and female flowers are separate on the same tree. The flowers are white or cream with a purple tinge. The fruit is hairy and has a sweet smell. It can be 6 cm long and 3 cm wide. It turns yellow or brown as it ripens.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry or open forest. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 1,130 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, Fiji, India, Pacific, Samoa, Tonga, Wallis & Futuna

How it is used for food

The young seeds are eaten.

It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

'anume, Bama, Buka ni siga, Kaukauloa, Kauloa, Maba

Synonyms

Diospyros andersonii (Sol. ex Hiern) P.S.Green; Diospyros ferrea var. lateriflora (Hiern) Bakh.; Diopyros lateriflora Bakh.; Diospyros major var. andersoni Bakh.; Ebenus andersoni Kuntze; Ebenus major (G. Forst.) Kuntze; Maba andersoni Solander ex Hiern; Maba lateriflora Hiern; Maba major Forst.; Maba globosa sensu A.C.Sm.; Diospyros globosa sensu A.C. Sm.;