Diospyros nigra

Diospyros nigra, the black sapote, is a species of persimmon. Common names include chocolate pudding fruit, black soapapple and (in Spanish) zapote prieto. The tropical fruit tree is native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. The common name sapote refers to any soft, edible fruit. Black sapote is not related to white sapote nor mamey sapote. The genus Diospyros has numerous other fruit bearing tree species in addition to the persimmons and black sapote. It is said to taste like chocolate pudding.

Description

A medium sized tree. The crown is rounded and the tree is evergreen. It grows 10-26 m high. The bark is black. The leaves are glossy and dark green. They are 10-15 cm long. The flowers are of one sex and are yellowish green. The female flowers occur singly and the male flowers in small clusters. The fruit are large and dark green to black. They are 6-12 cm across. The flesh is dark chocolate coloured, when ripe. It is edible with a sweet taste. The fruit may be seedless but often have 5 seeds.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten fresh and used in desserts, pies, preserves, ice cream, cakes, and jam. It is also fermented into a brandy-like drink.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also good for desserts. They are used in pies, preserves, ice cream and cakes and other desserts. They are used for jam. They are also fermented into a brandy like drink.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland and mountain forests up to 1,800 m above sea level. It suits hot tropical lowland areas. In Mexico trees grow from sea level to 1800 m altitude. They will grow in most soils. Fully grown trees can tolerate 1-2°C of frost. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America*, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico*, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are usually grown from seed. Seed germinate 30 days after sowing. Seedlings are transplanted into pots and into the field after 1-2 years. Young healthy stems can be air-layered. Trees can be shield budded. A spacing of 6-8 m is suitable. Plants can also be grafted.

Production

It is slow growing. Fruit are produced 5 year after planting. The fruit are ripe when the calyxes around the stem start to lift. Fruit mature in 200-300 days.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated fruit.

Notes

Plants have 3-4 x the Vitamin C of oranges. There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Biaahui, Biaqui, Bom-rza, Bonza, Caca-poule, Chocolate pudding fruit, Cuputishim Ebano, Ebano, Guayabote, Hunchuikle, Inu, Junchuikl, Malisuuruata, Ma-ta-mui, Mueque, Munec, Muneque, Pillahui, Pohon kesemek hitam, Sapote negro, Saual, Sawalh, Sirunda-urata, Ta-toho, Talang-gubat, Tauch, Tauch-ya, Tauche, Tilzapot, Tilzapoti, Totocuitlzapoti, Tsupilul, Tzapultiltic, Xency, Xinde, Zapote negro, Zapote prieto

References (53)

• Black sapote references Diospyros nigra
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 842 (As Diospyros ebenaster)
• Cheifetz, A., (ed), 1999, 500 popular vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts for Australian Gardeners. Random House p 188 (As Diospyros digyna)
• Coronel, R.E., 1982, Fruit Collections in the Philippines. IBPGR Newsletter p 6 (As Diospyros ebenaster)
• Cruz, I. M., et al, 2015, Edible fruits and seeds in the State of Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agricolas. Vol. 6. Num. 2 pp 331-346

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