Diospyros simii
Introduction
This fast-growing shrub or small tree grows well in sun or semi shade. It produces white flowers in spring, followed by decorative, orange-red, edible fruits. This is a great tree for a butterfly garden, as it is a larval host for butterflies and the flowers are visited by butterflies.
Description
Description
Diospyros simii is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 5–7 m tall, with spreading, almost climbing branches. Leaves are clustered towards the tips of the branches, alternately arranged, up to 60 mm long and 15 mm wide, broadly elliptical, leathery, glossy, deep green.
The hanging, greenish-white to cream-coloured flowers, 10 × 6 mm, appear in the leaf axils in winter and spring (June to September).
The fruit is a fleshy, rounded berry, 10 to 20 mm in diameter, usually densely covered with short, soft hairs. The large star-shaped structure on the fruit is the persistent calyx that enlarges after pollination and remains attached to the fruit. The fruits are green becoming orange-red when ripe and are on the bush in summer (September to June).
Diospyros simii is very similar to and may be confused with D. dichrophylla (poison star-apple), however, D. dichrophylla has an upright growth habit, not spreading, and its leaves are usually densely hairy while those of D. simii may be sparsely hairy only when young.
Conservation Status
Status
Least Concern (LC), Diospyros simii is widespread and not in danger of extinction.
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
A South African endemic, this species occurs in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, from Eshowe to Qonce (formerly King William's Town) near East London. It grows in forest and forest margins, in riverine bush, valley thicket and bushveld.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
The name Diospyros was derived from the Greek words, dios, meaning ‘divine’, and pyros, meaning ‘grain of wheat’. This species is named after Thomas R. Sim (1858–1938), a forest botanist who wrote on trees, ferns and mosses.
The genus Diospyros is arguably the most important one in the Ebenaceae family. It is a large genus of 730 accepted species that occur across the temperate and tropical regions of the world, and about 20 species are found in South Africa. The most well-known species of Diospyros are the Persimmon (D. kaki) from China and the tropical trees that yield the dense, black hardwood known as ebony, including D. ebenum from India and Sri Lanka, D. crassiflora from West Africa and D. celebica from Indonesia . These trees have been so heavily exploited for their timber that they are now threatened species.
Ecology
Ecology
Diospyros simii forms part of the Forest and Savanna Biomes. It occurs in forest, forest margins, riverine bush, valley thicket and bushveld. Its fleshy fruits are probably eaten by insects, birds and antelope. The flowers attract butterflies and other insects, and butterfly larvae feed on the leaves.
Uses
Use
Many plants of the genus Diospyros are versatile with many uses, including edible fruits, valuable timber, traditional medicine and as garden ornamentals.
Diospyros simii is not known to be used for timber or in traditional medicine, although it shares the same Zulu name, umnqandane, and thus may be used in the same way as Diospyros lycioides, to make toothbrushes and as purgatives. Its fruits are said to be edible and sweet-tasting.
Growing Diospyros simii
Grow
It is difficult to root the Diospyros species from tip- or semi-hardwood cuttings. It is best to make use of fresh seed to propagate the plant, as it is the most successful method. First remove the seeds from the fruits and clean them. Sow the seeds in ordinary seedling mix, in spring to early summer, from August to October. To store the seeds, pre-treat them with a suitable insecticide. If stored seeds are sown, nick the seed coat before planting, to allow water to penetrate the seeds.
Grow Diospyros simii in sun or semi-shade, in well-drained, composted soil. It is fast-growing and drought resistant and performs best with moderate watering.
References
- Boon, R. 2010. Pooley's trees of eastern South Africa, a complete guide. Flora & Fauna Publications Trust, Durban.
- Coates Palgrave, K. 1983. Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- Grow Wild, Diospyros simii. https://growwild.co.za/product/diospyros-simii/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.
- Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G. & Cunningham, A.B. 1996. Zulu medicinal plants: an inventory. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.
- Palmer, E. & Pitman, N. 1973. Trees of southern Africa. Vol. 3. Balkema, Cape Town.
- Plants of the World Online. Diospyros L. http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326017-2. Accessed 3 Nov 2021.
- von Staden, L. 2018. Diospyros simii (Kuntze) De Winter. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/08/30
- Wikipedia, Ebony. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebony. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.
- Wikipedia, Persimmon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persimmon. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.
Credits
Zubayr Sydow
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
November 2021
Acknowledgments: the author thanks Alice Notten for writing assistance and for providing images, and Geoff Nichols for additional images.
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
Soil type: Sandy, Loam
Flowering season: Spring, Winter
PH:
Flower colour: Green, White, Cream
Aspect: Full Sun, Morning Sun (Semi Shade), Afternoon Sun (Semi Shade)
Gardening skill: Easy
Special Features:
Attracts butterflies
Drought resistant
Edible plant
Feeds honeybees
Horticultural zones
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