Ebenaceae

Diospyros abyssinica

Giant diospyros · Mdaa mwitu

Small/Medium Tree

Common species

Size

Quantity

Not currently in stock. We can propagate or source this species — add to your order and we'll confirm timeline and availability.

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About

This tall evergreen tree can grow up to 40 metres, featuring a slender trunk and a small, mushroom-shaped crown. Its glossy dark green, oval leaves, up to 16 cm long, have wavy edges, while small white fragrant flowers develop into round fruits that ripen from red-yellow to black within a cup-shaped calyx. The bark is dark grey-brown, becoming black and scaling off in strips.

Where it works in Kilifi

This species thrives in coastal forests and drier sites where water is accessible, making it suitable for Kilifi gardens as a shade or specimen tree. It prefers areas with good light and can serve a restoration role in suitable forest succession zones.

Growing notes

Generally a slow-growing tree in natural settings, it can exhibit faster growth when planted in open areas or farmland. Once established, it is relatively hardy, tolerating periods of dry weather provided there is some water availability. Seeds can be stored for several years, and no pre-treatment is necessary before sowing.

Sources

Researched with web grounding from: worldagroforestry.org, plantnet.org, zimbabweflora.co.zw, mozambiqueflora.com, wikipedia.org, theferns.info. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.