Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Diospyros ebenum

Syn. Diospyros ebenaster

IUCN Red List Data Deficient (DD)

Local name

  • Indian Ebony (English)
  • Abnus (Hindi)

Tree type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Ebenaceae
20m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Diospyros ebenum bark

Bark

Dark grey to black, rough, shallowly fissured or furrowed; may flake in rectangular pieces.

Diospyros ebenum leaves

Leaves

The leaves are entire, about 6-15 cm long and 3-5 cm broad, elliptic-oblong, leaves alternate, leathery.

Diospyros ebenum flower

Flower

Small, greenish-white to dull white, unisexual; male flowers usually occur in axillary clusters, while female flowers are generally solitary.

Diospyros ebenum fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

The fruit is a small berry 2 cm diameter, similar to a small persimmon, turns a greenish-brown to dark brown color when it reaches full maturity.

Diospyros ebenum

Did you know?

The name Diospyros translates from Greek roots as “fruit of the gods” (Dios meaning divine, and pyros meaning grain or fruit). This genus is globally celebrated for sweet, bright orange fruits like persimmons (Diospyros kaki).

Distribution

World map showing distribution

S. India, Sri Lanka, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Florida