Diospyros edulis Lodd. ex Sweet

Evergreen tree, 10(-25) m tall, with a dominant trunk, bearing pseudo-whorled tiers of slender spreading applanate branches (Massart's architectural model). Leaves alternate, elliptic-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 10-30 cm long, leathery. Flowers axillary, unisexual or hermaphrodite, male flowers usually in clusters of 3(-7), female ones usually solitary; it is not clear whether the different types of flowers are mixed or restricted to different trees; flowers white, tubular, calyx green and persistent, ovary 8-, 10- or 12-celled, 1 ovule per cell. Fruit a flattened globose to slightly lobed berry, 5-15 cm in diameter, dark olive-green, seated on a persistent 4-6-lobed calyx which reflexes at maturity; pulp soft, brown to black. Seeds 0-12, flat, ca. 2 cm long, smooth, brown.

Flowers are borne on the new shoots; hence the crop cycle is linked to flushing. In the subtropics certain trees seem to flower on the spring flush, others on the summer flush, corresponding to fruit maturing in late summer and in winter respectively. The trees are said to flower in March in the Philippines; this suggests that they flush and flower during the dry season. Some trees bear flowers that are self-incompatible, so it is not advisable to plant a solitary tree. Fruit on cultivated trees is often seedless or nearly so. Introduced selections and outstanding seedlings are now being cloned in Australia, where nurseries offer a gradually increasing range of cultivars, including 'Bernecker' and 'Maher'.

The tree adapts to different s and survives flooding.

The altitudinal range for the cultivation of the black persimmon is quite astonishing. In Mexico, it is cultivated from sea-level to 1800 m. However, it is normally found below 600 m and, as it does not tolerate frost, it is successful only in the tropics and subtropics. The tree adapts to different soil types and survives flooding, but it is rather sensitive to drought, requiring abundant irrigation in dry areas.

Its most important area of cultivation is Mexico and Guatemala; elsewhere in the tropics D. digyna is a minor fruit, known to relatively few people."

Black persimmon is commonly propagated from seed, which remains viable for several months if stored dry. Seeds germinate in about 30 days. Clonal propagation by budding or grafting on seedling rootstocks is also possible; it is the way to propagate seedless types.

Plantation: Trees grow vigorously and should be spaced 10-12 m apart. "Husbandry: There is no information on husbandry, crop protection or yield; apparently the trees can bear sizeable crops each year with little attention. "

Food: The fruits are eaten when fully ripe and soft. The pulp, which is contained within a thin skin, is soft, sweet, smooth and pale brown in colour. When scooped out and stirred, the colour changes to chocolate brown. Apart from being eaten fresh, the pulp may be made into a drink by blending with citrus, vanilla, or other flavours. It is also used in ice-cream, cakes and liqueurs. Poison: Unripe fruits are inedible; they are hard, astringent because of the high tannin content, caustic and bitter, and have been used as fish poison in Philippines and the West Indies. Timber: The wood is yellowish to deep-yellow with black markings near the heart of old trunks; it is compact and suitable for cabinetwork, but is little used. Medicine: Various preparations of bark and leaves have been used medicinally against fever and skin disease.