Diospyros elliotii
(Hiern) F.White
West African Ebony
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Carel Jongkind, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Carel Jongkind
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Carel Jongkind, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A tree. It grows 10 m high. The trunk can be 1.3 m around. The bark is smooth and dark brown. The flowers are white. The fruit are orange-yellow. They are round. They are produced on the older parts of the stem below the leaves.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in swamp forest in West Africa. It grows in woodland and along river banks.
Where It Grows
Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa,
Cultivation
The orange-yellow fruit is borne on older parts of stem below the leaves. We have seen no individual confirmation for this species, but in general Diospyros species are dioecious and require both male and female forms to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Propagation
Seed - in general the seed of Diospyros species has a very short viability and so should be sown as soon as possible. The flesh should be removed since this contains germination inhibitors. Sow the seed in a shady position in a nursery seedbed. The sowing media for ebony uses soil and fine sand at the ratio 3:1. The seed is planted horizontally or vertically with the radicle end down, with a sowing depth of 1 - 1½ times the thickness of seed. Distance between the seeds is 3 - 5cm. Seeds are very sensitive to desiccation during germination and early growth, so must be regularly watered at this time. Normally the seed will germinate after one week. As a rule fresh seeds have a high percentage of fertility. The seedlings develop long taproots at an early stage, often before any appreciable elongation of the shoot takes place. The growth of the seedling is decidedly slow .
Other Uses
The twigs are used as chew-sticks to maintain healthy teeth and gums. The more or less black heartwood is usually only present in small amounts; it is clearly demarcated from the white sapwood. It is probably suitable for implement handles. The flexible branches are used for spring-traps. The wood is used for fuel.
Notes
There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Akpa, Bu parnab, Ulele
References (5)
- Atato, A., et al, 2010, Diversity of Edible Wild Fruit Tree Species of Togo. Global Science Books.
- Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 2. Kew.
- Gallagher, D. E., 2010, Farming beyond the escarpment: Society, Environment, and Mobility in Precolonial Southeastern Burkina Faso. PhD University of Michigan.
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 133
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
