Diospyros tetrasperma

Description

A tree. It grows 6-12 m high. The crown is round and dense. The trunk is upright and 30-50 cm across. The bark cracks into plates. The leaves are simple and alternate. They have a wavy edge. They are 6-12 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are greenish-yellow. The fruit are a flattened round shape. They become greenish-purple when ripe. They have 4-8 seeds.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten fresh, though they are slightly bitter.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten but are slightly bitter.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in broadleaf semi-deciduous forest in Brazil.

Where It Grows

Belize, Brazil, Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Mexico, North America, South America, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are put in a heap to allow them to soften to make it more easy to reove the seeds. The seeds are washed out in a seive and planted fresh. Seeds germinate in 70-90 days.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Maria-preta, Olho-de-boi

References (8)

• Bortolotto, I. M., et al, 2018, Lista preliminar das plantas alimenticias nativas de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Iheringia, Serie Botanica, Porto Alegre, 73 (supl.):101-116 (As Diospyros obovata)
• FMNH Botany Collections Database - Mesoamerican Ethnobotany emuweb.field museum.org (As Diospyros cuneata)
• Gouldstone, S., 1983, Growing your own Food-bearing Plants in Australia. Macmillan p 122
• Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.WDT.QC.ca)
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 278

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