Common Name:

General Information

Diospyros egrettarum is a shrub or a tree that can grow 3 - 5 metres tall. It is much branched below, the branches mostly inserted at right angles[].
The tree was at one time extensively exploited for its wood, to the extent that it has become almost extinct[].
Once a dominant coastal ebony, the species is now reduced to fewer than 10 individuals on the mainland and a larger viable population on Ile aux Aigrettes, a coral island off the east coast. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Mauritius.

Habitat

Exposed coastal areas[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	4.00 m
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

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Due to a shortage of supply, the tree is not normally harvested for its wood, but it was at one time heavily harvested, almost to extinction, for wood and for fuel[].

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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