Peacock ebony tree
Diospyros buxifolia

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20-30 m tall. The trunk can be 70 cm across. The leaves are papery. They are dull green underneath and can be hairy. They are 1-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The base of the leaves is wedge shaped. The male flowers are in groups of 5 and the female flowers occur singly. The fruit are oval and 2 cm long. The seeds are dark brown.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It grows in wet and dry evergreen forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malesia, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are edible but dry.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds. They can also be grown by air-layering.

Its other names

Local names

Cham nang, Dan da, Lam jong, Pohon eben merak, Pohon eben meribu, Sang hot, Vay-oc

Synonyms

Diospyros elegantissima Bakh.; Diospyros microphylla Bedd.; Diospyros munda Hiern; Ebenus buxifolia (Blume) Kuntze; Leucoxylum buxifolium Blume; Maba elegans Ridl.;