Common Name:

General Information

Diospyros barteri is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 7 metres tall, occasionally adopting a scambling habit[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, for chew sticks and for wood.
General forest loss has been high in all three countries where it is found because of logging, mining, oil exploration and commercial forestry activities. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Ghana, Nigeria, ?Cameroon, Gabon, ?Congo.

Habitat

An understorey tree in evergreen forests[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

Edible Uses

The thin pulp of the pale yellow or orange fruit is eaten[]. It is a minor item of diet[]. The oblong-conical fruit is up to 28mm long, containing a single, large seed[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stems are used as chew-sticks to maintain the health of the teeth and gums[].

The wood is hard. It is used locally for unspecified purposes[].

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 [].

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