Diospyros digyna – Native Plant Search

Native Range

A native plant refers to a species of plant that has naturally evolved and grown in a particular geographic area without any human intervention or introduction. These plants have adapted to the local climate, soil, and ecological conditions over an extended period of time, often thousands of years. Because of this co-evolution with their specific environment, native plants have developed characteristics that make them well-suited to the local ecosystem and provide essential resources for local wildlife.

Native plants play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of an area. They provide food and habitat for native wildlife, support pollinators like bees and butterflies, and contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem. Additionally, native plants often require fewer resources like water and fertilizers compared to non-native or exotic plants that may not be well-suited to the local environment.

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Native Continent

Southern America

Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama,Costa Rica

Natural Habitat

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Bitter and astringent when unripe, it should not be eaten until it is fully ripe and soft. Soft, rich, dark chocolate brown in colour and somewhat sweet. The black mushy flesh is repulsive in appearance, reminding one of dirty axle grease. Rather bland, the fruit is best mashed with a little orange, lemon or lime juice and chilled before serving. The immature fruit can be boiled and used as a vegetable. The fruit is rather boring on its own, but delicious when used in smoothies, jams etc. The dark olive-green fruit is a flattened globose to slightly lobed berry, 5 - 15cm in diameter. The fruit turns a duller colour when ripe and the persistent calyx at the base, which is pressed against the developing fruit, becomes reflexed. At this stage the fruits are still firm. They soften 3 - 14 days after harvesting, individual fruits ripening suddenly and unpredictably within 24 hours.