Black ebony (Diospyros tessellaria)

Family: Ebenaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Diospyros tessellaria or commonly known as Mauritian Ebony or Black Ebony is an evergreen shrub or small tree about 20 m in height that can be found in Africa. Its leaves are thick and dark green in colour. Flowers and fruits are small. Its bark and heartwood are black while its sapwood is white. It produces a high quality timber used for musical instruments, small pieces of furniture and in marquetry.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit. — Harvested fresh in season according to PFAF botanical monograph.

Habitat & North American Range

A dominant component of lowland evergreen forest and upland rainforest in the southwest and eastern mountain ranges. (Zone 10)