Diospyros viridicans
Hiern.
Gaboon ebony
gbif· cc-by-nc-sa
MBG
gbif· cc-by-nc-sa
MBG
gbif· cc-by-nc-sa
MBG
Description
A tree. It grows 20-25 m high. The trunk is straight and 1.3 m around. The bark is black. The fruit are yellow at first then they turn red and finally black.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten.
Medicinal Uses
A decoction of the leafy twigs is drunk as a treatment for leprosy. Sometimes the leaves of Raphiostylis beninensis and the bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus are added.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in lowland rain-forest in West Africa.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo R, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa,
Cultivation
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 .
Notes
There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Abrupro, Atwea, Bridie, Kekemi, Pitue, Wen wenya bene, Wuse-ama
References (4)
- Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 2. Kew.
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 133
- Vivien, J., & Faure, J.J., 1996, Fruitiers Sauvages d'Afrique. Especes du Cameroun. CTA p 146
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
