Edible : Fruit
A large tree. It can grow to 20 m or more high. Often it is only a small tree. It is a spreading tree with drooping branches. The leaves are smooth but covered with fine soft hairs. They are 7.5-22.5 cm long by 2.5-7.5 cm wide. The leaves are dark green on the top surface and copper coloured underneath. Flowers are in small clusters of 2-3 together in the axils of leaves. Both male and female flowers occur. These are on separate trees. The flowers are cream and have a slight scent. The fruit are round and 5-8 cm across. The fruit colour is pink to brown. It can be dark red or purple. The fruit have short silky hairs and have the sepals still attached. The flesh is white and sweet but has a cheesy unpleasant smell. The fruit are like a flat persimmon but have a velvety appearance. Often fruit contain many large seeds. Seedless fruit also occur.
A tropical and subtropical plant. It suits the hot humid tropical lowlands. Mature trees can withstand light frost for short times. Young trees do not tolerate low temperatures. It is better to have trees in sheltered places protected from cold winds. Slightly acid, moist and free draining soils are best. It can grow in sun or light shade. It cannot tolerate salt. Plants grow naturally in the Philippines. It is common and widely distributed in the forests of the Philippines. It has become established wild in the bush in the Gazelle Peninsula of Papua New Guinea. It grows from sea level to 200m altitude in Taiwan. It suits hardiness zones 9-12
Other Names :
Bilayati gab, Bisbul, Buah choklat, Buah lemak, Buah mantega, Buah mentaga, Buah sakhlat, Butterfruit, Camagong, Chalta, Hong nhung, Kadiba, Kadiba-thi, Kamagong, Marit, Persimo, Persimonio, Pohon bisbul, Tabang, Talang, Tayok-te, Yi se shi,
Synonyms :
Cavanillea mabolo Poir;
Cavanillea philippensis Desr.;
Diospyros blancoi A. DC.;
Diospyros durionoides Bakh.;
Diospyros mabolo (Poir.) Roxb. ex Lindl. [Illegitimate];
Diospyros mabola Roxb. ex J. V. Thomps. [Illegitimate];
Diospyros malacapai A. DC.;
Diospyros merrillii Elmer;
Diospyros philippensis (Desr.) Guerke [Illegitimate];
Diospyros utilis Hemsl.;
Embryopteris discolor G. Don;
Mabola edulis Raf.;