This species is closely related to Diospyros conzattii and has only been separated from it since 2006. Many of the reports for Diospyros conzattii are likely to also apply to this species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Diospyros costaricensis is a large, deciduous tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall. The bole, which can be up to 1.5 metres in diameter, has large buttresses[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its fruit and timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central America - Costa Rica.

Habitat

Seasonally wet deciduous forests at elevations from 600 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of medium elevations in the tropics, being found from 600 - 1,20 metres. It is found in areas where there is a distinct dry season of around 5 months and the mean annual rainfall is in the region of 1,500mm[].


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

Fruit - raw[]. An exquisite flavour[, ]. The fruit is about 4cm wide and 2.5cm long, containing 5 - 10 fairly large seeds[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is valuable[].

Propagation

Seed - it 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. In one trial, fresh seed, sown one day after collection, showed 85% germination rate within 17 - 65 days[].
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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