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Summary
Found in Southeast Asia, Diospyros mun is a small, slow-growing tree of up to 18 m in height and has a dense crown and cylindrical trunk of up to 40 cm in diameter that branches quite low down. It produces glossy black timber that is highly valued and overexploited. The seed, fruits, and leaves yield black dye which can be used for dyeing silk, cloth, and other materials. The bark is used for preserving alcoholic beverages.
Physical Characteristics
Diospyros mun is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
No synonyms are recorded for this name.
Habitats
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye Preservative Wood
Other Uses: A black dye is obtained from the fresh seeds[ 598 ]. It is used for dyeing silk, cloth, and other materials[ 598 ]. A black dye is obtained from the oily fruits and leaves[ 317 ]. The bark is used for preserving alcoholic beverages[ 317 ]. The heartwood is black, becoming glossy black when dry. The wood is hard and heavy[ 598 ]. A very precious timber, it is used for flower pots, statues, and especially for making chopsticks[ 598 ].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Requires a sunny position[ 598 ]. Succeeds in poor soils[ 598 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[ 598 ]. A slow growing tree[ 598 ]. The tree can regenerate by suckers produced near the stump[ 598 ]. We have seen no individual confirmation for this species, but in general Diospyros species are dioecious and require both male and female forms to be grown if fruit and seed are required[ 899 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - in general the seed of Diospyros species has a very short viability and so should be sown as soon as possible. The flesh should be removed since this contains germination inhibitors. Sow the seed in a shady position in a nursery seedbed. The sowing media for ebony uses soil and fine sand at the ratio 3:1. The seed is planted horizontally or vertically with the radicle end down, with a sowing depth of 1 - 1.5x the thickness of seed. Distance between the seeds is 3 - 5cm. Seeds are very sensitive to desiccation during germination and early growth, so must be regularly watered at this time. Normally the seed will germinate after one week[ 325 ]. As a rule fresh seeds have a high percentage of fertility. The seedlings develop long taproots at an early stage, often before any appreciable elongation of the shoot takes place. The growth of the seedling is decidedly slow [ 652 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Lao People's Democratic Republic; Viet Nam
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Critically Endangered A1cd
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Diospyros celebica | Indonesian Ebony, black ebony, makassar-ebenholts | Tree | 30.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Diospyros conzattii | Zapote negro mont's, zapotillo. | Tree | 10.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Diospyros crassiflora | Benin Ebony | Tree | 15.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | M | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Diospyros digyna | Black Sapote, Chocolate Pudding Tree | Tree | 15.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Diospyros ebenum | Ebony, Ceylon Ebony, Mauritius Ebony, Ebony Persimmon | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | M | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Diospyros kaki | Persimmon, Japanese persimmon | Tree | 12.0 |
7-10
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Diospyros lotus | Date Plum | Tree | 9.0 |
7-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Diospyros malabarica | Indian Persimmon, Gaub, Timbiri, Mountain ebony | Tree | 35.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | FSN | M | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Diospyros mespiliformis | West African Ebony, Monkey guava, jackalberry | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Diospyros quaesita | Calamander, kalu mediriya | Tree | 30.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Diospyros tessellaria | Black ebony, Mauritian ebony | Tree | 15.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Diospyros texanum | Black Persimmon | Tree | 12.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Diospyros virginiana | American Persimmon, Common persimmon, Persimmon | Tree | 20.0 |
4-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 1 | 3 |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
A.Chev. ex Lecomte
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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