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Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.
| Family Name: | Ebenaceae |
| Synonyms: | Diospyros embryopteris Pers., Diospyros malabarica var. siamensis (Hochr.) Phengklai |
| Common Name: | Malabar Ebony, Komoi, Kumun |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Conical |
| Maximum Height | 15 m to 35 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a small to medium-sized tree, up to 15-35 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Its trunk can attain up to 70 cm in diameter. Its bark is dark or blackish in colour. |
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves are oblanceolate, 7-32 cm long, emerging pink in colour, and gradually turning beige then to dark green eventually. |
| Flowers | Its fragrant flowers are creamy white, borne on an inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are round, 5-7.5 cm in diameter. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests, often near streams. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Its fruit is edible when ripe. Timber & Products: The timber is used for carpentry, furniture and handicrafts. Others: The unripe fruits and leaves are used to extract tannin to dye cloth black and for tanning nets and hides. The tannin is also medicinally. The gum extracted from the fruits is also used to preserve the bottom of boats, repair seams and book binding. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and streetscapes for its attractive new leaves that are pink in colour, as well as its dense conical crown. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Riverine |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Orange, Pink |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual & Bisexual Flowers(Sub-dioecious) |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1560 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2853 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
