Common Name:

General Information

Diospyros consolatae is a much and stiffly branched, erect evergreen shrub or small bushy tree usually growing up to 7 metres tall but occasionally to 9 metres[]. A sticky, varnish-like exudate covers the young leaves, flower buds and fruits[].
The edible fruit is gathered from the wild for local consumption[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique.

Habitat

Mostly found in coastal thicket, more rarely in woodland further inland, at elevations from sea level to around 100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The globose fruit is about 15mm in diameter containing 6 - 8 seeds[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is sometimes black[]. The wood is used for building poles, tool handles, wooden spoons, withies and pestles[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

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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