Diospyros digyna | |
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Illustration of D. digyna | |
Conservation status | |
Taxonomy | |
Kingdom | |
Phylum/Division | |
Class | |
Order |
Ericales |
Family |
Ebenaceae |
Genus |
Diospyros |
Species |
D. digyna |
Naming and discovery | |
Discovered |
Diospyros digyna (Black Sapote, Black Persimmon, Chocolate Pudding Fruit, or Zapote Prieto) is a species of flowering plant in the Ebenaceae family. It is native to Mexico and Central America down to Colombia. In south Florida, it is often confused with the Coco Fruit, a close relative. It is unrelated to the white sapote (Casimiroa edulis) and the Mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota). Mature members of this species can grow over 82 feet in height and are evergreen. They are very sensitive to frost. The leaves are elliptic, oblong, tapered at both of their ends, glossy, and 3.9 to 12 inches long.
The fruit is tomato-like and measure from 2-3.9 inches in diameter. These have inedible skin that is olive to yellow-green when ripe. The edible pulp inside turns from white when unripe to a color similar to chocolate pudding when ripe.
Synonyms[]
- Diospyros ebenaster Retz.
- Diospyros nigra (Blanco) Blanco
- Diospyros nigra Perrott
- Diospyros obtusifolia Humb. et Bonpl. ex Willd.