West African Ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis)

Family: Ebenaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Also known as Monkey Guava or Jackalberry, West African Ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis) is an evergreen tree that reaches up to 20 m in height, or up to 45 m in forests. It is characterized by a wide spreading and dense canopy and dark grey bark. It is commonly found in tropical Africa, south of the Sahara. West African Ebony has a wide range of medicinal uses.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet flavour, similar to the persimmon (D. — Fruit - raw, cooked, dried or made into beverages by fermentation.; A sweet flavour, similar to the persimmon (D.; A kind of soft toffee can be made from the fruits, which along with some other similar edible fruits, such as figs and dates, are known as lubiya.; The globose, yellow fruit is up to 25mm in diameter.

Habitat & North American Range

Riparian forest, more rarely on termite mounds or rocky outcrops or in dry semi-evergreen forest at elevations of 60 - 1,370 metres. Drier northern borders of the humid rain-forest zone especially in wet situations. (Zone 10)