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Ebony Diospyros

Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC.

Description

provided by Flora of Zimbabwe
Medium-sized to large tree. Bark dark grey to black, very rough with long vertical fissures. Leaves alternate, oblong-elliptic, dark green above, paler below, hairless. Flowers axillary, solitary, cream to pale yellow with greyish hairs on the calyx and pedicel. Fruit fleshy, ovoid to round, yellow to purple when ripe, embedded in the persistent calyx lobes.
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Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
bibliographic citation
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. and Ballings, P. (2002-2014). Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC. Flora of Zimbabwe website. Accessed 28 August 2014 at http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=144030
author
Mark Hyde
author
Bart Wursten
author
Petra Ballings
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Flora of Zimbabwe

Worldwide distribution

provided by Flora of Zimbabwe
Widespread in tropical Africa from Senegal to Eritrea and Yemen, southwards to Namibia, S Africa and southern Mozambique
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cc-by-nc
copyright
Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
bibliographic citation
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. and Ballings, P. (2002-2014). Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC. Flora of Zimbabwe website. Accessed 28 August 2014 at http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=144030
author
Mark Hyde
author
Bart Wursten
author
Petra Ballings
original
visit source
partner site
Flora of Zimbabwe

Diospyros mespiliformis

provided by wikipedia EN

Diospyros mespiliformis, the jackalberry (also known as African ebony and by its Afrikaans name jakkalsbessie), is a large dioecious evergreen[2] tree found mostly in the savannas of Africa. Jackals are fond of the fruit, hence the common names. It is a member of the family Ebenaceae, and is related to the true ebony (D. ebenum) and edible persimmon (D. kaki).

Description

Mature trees have dark gray fissured bark. An adult tree reaches an average of 4 to 6 metres in height, though occasionally trees reach 25 metres. The foliage is dense and dark green with elliptical leaves, which are often eaten by grazing animals such as elephants and buffalo. The tree flowers in the rainy season; the flowers are imperfect, with genders on separate trees, and are cream-colored. The female tree bears fruit in the dry season and these are eaten by many wild animals; they are oval-shaped, yellow or purple when ripe[3] and about 20–30 mm in diameter. The fruit remain embedded in the persistent calyx lobes.[3] Like the marula, the tree is favoured by the Bantu, who will leave them growing in their cultivated lands in order to harvest the fruit.

Range and habitat

Diospyros mespiliformis ranges widely through Subsaharan Africa as well as Yemen.[4]

Jackalberry trees often grow in riparian forests and on termite mounds, preferring deep alluvial soils, but are not uncommon on sandy soils in savanna. It grows in mutualism with termites, which aerate the soil around its roots but do not eat the living wood; in turn, the tree provides protection for the termites. The jackalberry is the largest member of its genus in the southern subtropics, and is northwards present to the Sahara. It occurs in high densities from subtropical to tropical regions.

Uses

Fruit

Fruiting branch of the female tree

A traditional food plant in Africa, this fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[5]

The fruit is edible for humans; its flavor has been described as lemon-like, with a chalky consistency when unripe, and sweet fleshy when ripe. On average the fruit contains 2-5 brown seeds. Most people prefer letting them dry before eating, and the dry ones are stored and consumed as a snack when the fresh fruit goes out of season. They are sometimes preserved, can be dried and ground into a flour, and are often used for brewing beer and brandy.

The Ovambo people call the fruit of the jackalberry eenyandi and use it to distill ombike, their traditional liquor.[6]

Medicinal

The leaves, bark and roots of the tree contain tannin, which can be used as a styptic to staunch bleeding. The roots are consumed to purge parasites and are thought to be a remedy for leprosy.

Wood

The wood of the jackalberry is almost impervious to termite damage. The heart wood is fine-grained and strong, and is often used for making wood floors and furniture. Trunks of the tree are used for canoes. The wood ranges in color from light reddish-brown to a very dark brown.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2021). "Diospyros mespiliformis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T173967A1406816. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  2. ^ Diospyros mespiliformis at Useful Tropical Plants; retrieved March 26, 2018
  3. ^ a b Hyde, M.A.; et al. "Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  4. ^ Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 10 December 2022.
  5. ^ National Research Council (2008-01-25). "Ebony". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits. Lost Crops of Africa. Vol. 3. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10596-5. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  6. ^ Shaanika, Helvy (26 October 2012). "Ombike – a potent traditional brew". New Era. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012.

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wikipedia EN

Diospyros mespiliformis: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Diospyros mespiliformis, the jackalberry (also known as African ebony and by its Afrikaans name jakkalsbessie), is a large dioecious evergreen tree found mostly in the savannas of Africa. Jackals are fond of the fruit, hence the common names. It is a member of the family Ebenaceae, and is related to the true ebony (D. ebenum) and edible persimmon (D. kaki).

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Wikipedia authors and editors
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wikipedia EN