Ebenaceae

Diospyros mellinonii (Hiern) A.C. Sm.

Representative Image
Representative image.

Kingdom: Plantae Rank: Species Parent: Diospyros Status: Valid

Morphological Description

Diagnosis: Tree to 12 m tall. Trunk to15 cm diameter. Bark smooth; slash orangish, the outer bark white to gray, the inner bark black. Stems white to gray, light tomentose in axils and on new growth. Leaves narrow, elliptic to lanceolate, sometimes narrowly obovate, to 11 x 3.5 cm, light brown adaxially, dark brown, glossy abaxially, chartaceous to weakly coriaceous, light tomentose throughout; base acute to decurrent, slighthly asymmetric, with scattered, concave, brown-black glands near the midrib; apex acute to short-acuminate; margins entire, revolute to nearly auricular at the base; secondary venation eucamptodromous, raised, prominent, adaxially and abaxially; tertiary venation conspicuous, parallel to the secondary veins. Inflorescence axillary or ramiflorous. Flowers, fruits, and seeds not seen. Uncommon in mixed to open palm swamp forest, with some collections known from floodplain or upland terrace forest.