Flint bark
Diospyros canaliculata

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 15-20 m high. The trunk is 25 cm across. The crown is spreading and heavy. The bark is smooth. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are 25 cm long by 10 cm wide. There are 8-11 pairs of side veins. The flowers are white. They are produced on the trunk and large branches. The fruit have 4 ribs towards the top.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Nigeria it has been recorded at 220 m and 1,440 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Liberia, Nigeria, West Africa

How it is used for food

CAUTION. The skin of the fruit is caustic.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In Central African Republic plants flower in September and fruit from January to June.

Its other names

Local names

Evindi

Synonyms

Diospyros bequaertii De Wild.; Diospyros bequaertii var. imbimbo De Wild.; Diospyros cauliflora De Wild. [Illegitimate]; Diospyros chlamydocarpa Mildbr.; Diospyros kimba-kimba De Willd.; Diospyros mayumbensis Exell; Diospyros molundensis Mildbr. [Invalid]; Maba coriacea H. A. Cummins; Maba nutans Hiern.;