Persimmon family
Description
A family of tropical trees mainly from the Indo-Malaysian rainforests (Ebenaceae 1).
The usually small trees have a grainy bark and simple alternate leaves. The mostly white flowers are usually unisexual with fused sepals and petals and stamens borne on the petals. The ovary is superior. The fruit is a berry.
There are 2 genera.
Use
Besides ebony the family produces edible fruits known as persimmons.
Described species
Diospyros kaki, kaki, Chinese or Japanese date plum, kaki persimmon
Diospyros discolor, mabola, velvet apple, see Diospyros kaki
Diospyros ebenaster, black persimmon, see Diospyros kaki
Diospyros lotus, date plum, see Diospyros kaki
Diospyros virginiana, American persimmon, see Diospyros kaki