Diospyros malabarica aka Mountain Ebony

Diospyros malabarica is also known as Indian persimmon. It belongs to the ebony family, Ebenaceae. This evergreen tree comes from wet tropical Asia. Kew places its native range in western and central Malesia. Other sources give a wider range across India and Southeast Asia. It grows in lowland rainforests, often near rivers and streams. These sites can be both shady and wet.

The tree grows at a slow pace. It forms a broad crown with many branches. Listed heights reach about 98–115 feet [30–35 metres]. Some accounts give heights of 121 feet [37 metres]. Its spread can reach about 82 feet [25 metres]. The straight trunk may have grooves down its length. A long stretch of trunk may lack branches. The leaves are glossy green. New growth has reddish-pink tones. The flowers are white or green. Insects pollinate them.

The fruit is a rounded berry with soft pulp. It can hold up to six seeds. PFAF calls the fruit yellowish green. Useful Tropical Plants instead reports red fruit with a velvety skin. You can eat fully ripe fruit raw. It tastes sweet, though accounts rate its eating quality as rather poor. Fruit that is not fully ripe holds much tannin. This makes it strongly astringent, with a dry, puckering feel. Both sources report no known hazards. This does not mean it is safe for pets.

The tree suits warm, moist sites in the lowland tropics. It grows best with daytime temperatures of 25–35°C. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 10–12. It accepts full sun, part shade, or fairly dense shade. Rich soil and steady moisture suit it well. It grows in sand, loam, and clay soils. Its preferred soil pH is between 6 and 7. Sow fresh seed soon, as it soon loses the power to sprout. Remove the fruit flesh first, and keep seedlings moist.

Growers plant it for useful products and for its looks. Its broad crown and show of fruit add interest to gardens. The pulp is rich in tannin. It yields gum for glues and boat treatments. People also use fruit products to shield ropes from water. Unripe fruit and leaves yield dyes for cloth. Ayurvedic practice uses the bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit. These uses do not prove that treatments are safe or work. The supplied accounts name no specific pests or diseases.