Diospyros nigra (J.F.Gmel.) Perr.

 
  • Family : EBENACEAE
    (Ebony Family)
  • Family (Hindi name) : BISTENDU FAMILY (बिसतॆंदु फैमिली)
  • Family (as per The APG System IV) : Ebenaceae
  • Synonym(s) : Diospyros sapota Roxb.; Sapota nigra J.F.Gmel.; Diospyros digyna Jacq.; Diospyros edulis Lodd. ex Sweet; Diospyros obtusifolia Kunth; Diospyros obtusifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.; Diospyros pauciflora C.B.Rob.; Diospyros sapotanigera DC.; Diospyros tliltzapotl Sessé & Moc.
  • Species Name (as per The IPNI) : Diospyros nigra (J.F.Gmel.) Perr.
  • Habit : Shrub or Tree
  • Key identification features : Medium-sized to large evergreen tree, up to 10-26m high, crown rounded, dense, bark black; Leaves simple, alternate, leathery, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, 10-30cm long, surface glossy, dark green; Flowers unisexual, white to yellowish-green, 1-1.6cm in diameter, borne in leaf axils, male flowers in small clusters, female flowers solitary; Fruit large, fleshy berry, round to oblate, 5-12cm diameter, green when unripe, turns muddy-green to dark green or black when ripe, sweet, edible, pulp brown to dark chocolate-coloured, soft, pudding-like texture.
  • Flower, Fruit : February-August
  • Distribution :
    • Karnataka : Bengaluru Urban district, Bengaluru Rural district
  • Native : Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá
  • Exotic/Native : Exotic
  • World Distribution : Mexico to Colombia
  • Literature :
    • K.Ravikumar, A.C.Tangavelou, & Navendu Page. (2021). Seed plants of Karnataka, India: A concise dictionary. FRLHT-TDU, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai.
  • Read more :
  • Permalink : https://indiatrees-ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Diospyros nigra
  • Citation : Sankara Rao, K., Deepak Kumar (2026). India Trees and Vegetation Types. Diospyros nigra. Downloaded on 4 October 2026.

Distribution District wise

India Distribution

World Distribution

GBIF Distribution

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