Diospyros malabarica (Indian Persimmon, Gaub Tree, Malabar Ebony, Black-and-White Ebony, Pale Moon Ebony)


Botanical Information

FamilyEbenaceae
GenusDiospyros
Speciesmalabarica
SynonymsDiospyros biflora, Diospyros citrifolia, Diospyros embryopteris, Diospyros glutinifera, Diospyros glutinosa J.Koenig, Diospyros peregrina, Diospyros siamensis, Embryopteris gelatini
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginEast Asia including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Unripe leaves and fruits were traditionally used to dye cloth black.

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height5 - 37 metres
GrowthMedium

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionAn evergreen tree with a much-branched, spreading crown; it can grow 15 - 37 metres tall.
ShapeA dense conical crown.
LandscapeIt is suitable for parks and streetscapes with its attractive new leaves that are pink in colour, as well as its dense conical crown.
PropagationBy seed.
CultivationGrow in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.
PestsScale insects, spider mites, mealybugs, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust leaf spots, and fungal root rot.
Notable SpecimensQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
HabitatLowland rainforests along rivers and streams at elevations up to 300 metres. Often found in shady and wet sites near streams in the forest at elevations up to 500 metres.
Bark/Stem DescriptionBlack, smooth, straight, cylindrical trunk can be unbranched for 10 - 20 metres and may be 70 cm in diameter. The inner bark turns bluish on exposure to sunlight.
Leaf DescriptionAlternate, stalked leaves are oblanceolate, 7-32 cm long, emerging pink in colour, and gradually turning beige then eventually to dark green.
Flower DescriptionThe male flowers are formed in 3-5 flowered cymes in leaf axils. Female flowers are solitary, 4-parted, with 4 styles, and an 8-celled ovary.
Fruit DescriptionRound and yellow when ripe, up to 3.5 cm in diameter, and seated on a persistent sepal structure.

Photographs