Common Name:

General Information

Diospyros whyteana is an evergreen shrub or small, often multi-stemmed tree that can grow up to 13 metres tall. Branching from low down on the bole, it has a dense, round to pyramidal crown[].
An attractive small tree with neat growth and masses of red fruits, it is often grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.

Habitat

Mostly in and at the edges of evergreen montane forest and scrub forest, sometimes (at lower altitudes) in bushland in rocky places, at elevations from 1,220 - 2,400 metres but descending almost to sea level in South Africa[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A fairly slow-growing 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

Fruit[]. Somewhat bitter and so not so very tasty[]. The red, subglobose fruit is up to 2cm in diameter and is enclosed in an inflated papery calyx[].

The roasted seeds can be used as a coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

Bark extracts are administered as enemas for treating menstrual pain, impotency and infertility[].

A leaf and root infusion can be used to treat rashes[].
The roots are used as a treatment for snake-bites[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree responds well to clipping and is an outstanding plant to grow as a hedge[].

Other Uses

The stems are used for tooth-brushes[].

The bark is used as a lip-stick and for dyeing mats[].

The wood is variable in colour, mainly whitish with brown to purple stripe. It is dense, evenly grained and strong[]. Suitable for making furniture, although large logs are often not available. Smaller diameter stems are used for making implement handles and spoons[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. The seed should first be scarified by abrading the surface to allow water to enter more easily (being careful not to damage the embryo). Fresh seed usually germinates freely within 4 - 8 weeks[].
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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