Giant diospyros
Diospyros abyssinica

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 35 m tall. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. The crown has short branches. The bark is dark grey with fine cracks. The leaves are alternate and narrowly oval. They are 7-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are shiny dark green. The edges are often wavy. Young leaves are red. The flowers are small and grow in the axils of leaves. They can occur singly or in small clusters. They are creamy white to yellow. They have a scent. The fruit is round and fleshy. It is held in a lobed cup. It is yellowish green and turns blue to black when ripe. It is 1.4 cm long by 1 cm wide. There is usually one seed that is 9 mm long by 6 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests. It is recorded between 200-2,500 m above sea level and in areas with an annual rainfall between 650-2050 mm. In drier areas it is usually near streams or on termite mounds that retain moisture.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh.

A minor food.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds are slow to germinate. Trees can be pruned or cut back and allowed to re-grow.

It Zimbabwe it flowers from October to January.

Its other names

Local names

Baforonto, Blidzo, Blitcho, Dul'o, Koforonto, Mdaa-mwitu, Mueluili, Serkin

Synonyms

Diospyros abyssinica subsp. abyssinica; Diospyros ubanghensis A. Chev. [Invalid]; Diospyros welwitschii Hiern; Ebenus abyssinica (Hiern) Kuntze; Ebenus mualala (Welw. ex Hiern) Kuntze; Maba abyssinica Hiern; Maba mualala Welw. ex Hiern; Maba ubanghensis A. Chev. [Invalid]; Maba warneckei Gurke;