Diospyros guianensis

(Aubl.) Gurke

Barrabarra

Ebenaceae Edible: Fruit 22 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A tree. It grows 25 m tall. The bark is dark brown and the inner bark is yellow. The leaves are simple and alternate. They have rusty hairs when young. The flower petals are green and folded. The fruit is leathery.

Edible Uses

The fruit pulp is occasionally eaten. The fruit is a shiny black, globose berry around 20mm in diameter, containing 6 - 7 large seeds.

Medicinal Uses

The bark is febrifuge. A decoction of the bark is used as a wash for fevers. The leaves are crushed in a little oil and the juice is applied to certain eczematous dermatoses. The stem-bark contains a naphthaquinone, which alleviates certain dermal lesions, as well as the terpenes lupeol, betulinol and betulinic acid.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in swamp forest.

Where It Grows

Guyana, South America,

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark brown; it is clearly defined from the yellowish-white sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight; lustre is medium; there is no distinctive taste or aroma. The wood is of low durability, being susceptible to blue stain and the attack of insects. It is easy to work and finishes well. It is used for purposes such as carpentry, cabinet work, furniture. The wood is sometimes sawn into boards or used to make cricket bats and balls.