World Plants

Diospyros malabarica (Indian Persimmon, Gaub Tree, Malabar Ebony, Black-and-White Ebony, Pale Moon Ebony)

Family	Ebenaceae
Genus	Diospyros
Species	malabarica
Synonyms	Diospyros biflora, Diospyros citrifolia, Diospyros embryopteris, Diospyros glutinifera, Diospyros glutinosa J.Koenig, Diospyros peregrina, Diospyros siamensis, Embryopteris gelatini
Category	Tropicals, Woody
Type	Tree (evergreen)
Origin	East Asia including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer	Unripe leaves and fruits were traditionally used to dye cloth black.

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	Requires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height	5 - 37 metres
Growth	Medium

General Description	An evergreen tree with a much-branched, spreading crown; it can grow 15 - 37 metres tall.
Shape	A dense conical crown.
Landscape	It is suitable for parks and streetscapes with its attractive new leaves that are pink in colour, as well as its dense conical crown.
Propagation	By seed.
Cultivation	Grow in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.
Pests	Scale insects, spider mites, mealybugs, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust leaf spots, and fungal root rot.
Notable Specimens	Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Habitat	Lowland rainforests along rivers and streams at elevations up to 300 metres. Often found in shady and wet sites near streams in the forest at elevations up to 500 metres.
Bark/Stem Description	Black, smooth, straight, cylindrical trunk can be unbranched for 10 - 20 metres and may be 70 cm in diameter. The inner bark turns bluish on exposure to sunlight.
Leaf Description	Alternate, stalked leaves are oblanceolate, 7-32 cm long, emerging pink in colour, and gradually turning beige then eventually to dark green.
Flower Description	The male flowers are formed in 3-5 flowered cymes in leaf axils. Female flowers are solitary, 4-parted, with 4 styles, and an 8-celled ovary.
Fruit Description	Round and yellow when ripe, up to 3.5 cm in diameter, and seated on a persistent sepal structure.