Common Name:

General Information

Diospyros gabunensis is an evergreen tree that can grow 10 - 20 metres tall. The long, straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 30cm in diameter, it is free of buttresses[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Sierra Leone to Cameroon, DR Congo and Tanzania, south to northern Zambia.

Habitat

Lowland rain forest, sometimes in very wet situations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The bark is smooth or slightly fissured, and is hard and brittle like glass, hence one of its common names of ‘flint-bark tree’[].
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

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the inner bark is used as an antiseptic wash on sores, wounds, etc., to which a decoction of leaves and/or bark is then applied as a poultice[].

Other Uses

The heart-wood is veined in black; the sap-wood is light yellow. The wood is strong, hard and fine-textured. It is considered a secondary structural timber, is used for large house-poles, and is cut for wooden spoons, combs and small household articles generally, for which its texture and hardness suit it[].

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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