Grey Ebony, Clustered persimmon
Diospyros fasciculosa

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 6-15 m high. The leaves are oval and leathery. They are shiny green on top and paler underneath. The leaves are 7-13 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are separately male and female. These occur on separate trees. The female flowers are yellow and 0.6 cm across. The are produced in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round and orange-red. They are fleshy and about 1.2 cm across. The calyx is large and curves backwards. There are 2-6 shiny seeds inside.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforests in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It grows from tropical to warm temperate regions. It does best in acid soil which is well drained and rich in humus.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Fiji, Indonesia, Malesia, New Caledonia, Pacific, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten when soft and juicy.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed should be sown fresh. The flesh is removed before sowing. Plants need protection when young.

Plants are slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Long tom

Synonyms

Diospyros ruminata (Hiern) Bakh.; Ebenus fasciculosa (F. Muell.) Kuntze; Ebenus ruminata (Hiern) Kuntze; Maba fasciculosa F.Muell.; Maba laxiflora Benth.; Maba ruminata Hiern; Maba tenuinervia Koord. & Valeton ex Koord.-Schum.;