Diospyros lycioides aka Red Star Apple

Diospyros lycioides is an African shrub or small tree. It belongs to the ebony family, Ebenaceae. Its native range runs from Kenya to Angola and South Africa. It grows in dry shrubland and on rocky ground. It also occurs beside streams, in river woods, and in thickets. These habitats include sites at 1,970–3,280 feet [600–1,000 metres] above sea level.

Plants reach about 10 feet [3 metres], with taller examples reaching 16 feet [5 metres]. The crown is open, and the branches hang down. The plant may keep or shed its leaves, depending on climate. It can also form thickets. Garden uses include hedges and small shade trees. People grow it as an ornamental plant and gather it from the wild. Its uses include food, medicine, wood, and dye.

The small flowers have a sweet scent and open chiefly at night. Bees, other insects, and birds visit as pollinators. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Both sexes must be present for fruit and seed production. The fruits are round or egg-shaped, with several large seeds. One account describes red fruits that turn black as they ripen. Another reports reddish or yellow fruits, about the size of small plums. Measured fruits reach about 0.07 feet [0.02 metres] long. Ripe flesh is clear, soft, jelly-like, and mildly sweet. People eat the fruit raw. They also roast and grind the seeds for a coffee substitute.

Choose a sunny site with soil that drains well. Growth can be fast where the climate suits it. Nursery plants in Zimbabwe have borne fruit after four years. Fresh seeds can give a high rate of germination. Their hard coats benefit from scarification before sowing. Young seedlings form long taproots before much shoot growth appears. The supplied sources give no frost limit or hardiness zone. They also name no specific pests or diseases.

People use the twigs and roots as tooth-cleaning sticks. The roots provide a yellow-brown dye, while the bark supplies tannins. The wood serves for hut building and spoon making. Traditional remedies use roots for coughs, colds, and chest complaints. Other preparations go on the skin for pain or thorn injuries. These records describe traditional use, not proof of medical safety. The source lists no known hazards, but does not establish pet safety.