Common Name:

General Information

Diospyros squarrosa is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing from 2 - 10 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and as a source of wood, both of which are used locally.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Tropical Africa - Kenya, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Deciduous woodland and thickets from sea level to around 1,200 metres[]. At higher elevations the plant is only found on termite mounds[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant often starts flowering when quite small, around 2 metres[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The dark yellow, subglobose fruit is about 2cm in diameter, containing 8 - 10 seeds[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is much used for tool handles[] as well as for building poles, animal yokes, spoons, and beams for carrying water[].
The wood is used for firewood and for making 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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