Lama
Diospyros sandwicensis

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A tree. It can be 2-15 m tall. The leaves are small and leathery. They are reddish when young and dark green when mature. Flowers are of one sex only. They are in the axils of leaves. Trees are separately male or female. The female flowers develop fruit. The fruit are juicy and 2.5 cm long by 12 mm wide. They are green but turn yellow then ripen to red. They are sweet when ripe. They are edible. They contain 1-3 brown seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry forest areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Hawaii (country/location of origin), Pacific, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

'au'auli

Synonyms

Diospyros ferrea subsp. sandwicensis; Diospyros ferrea var. sandwicensis (A. DC.) Bakh.; Ebenus sandwicensis (A. DC.) Kuntze; Maba sandwicensis A. DC.; and others