Diospyros spp.

Specifications

Family

Ebenaceae

Species

Diospyros spp.

Common name

Diospyros spp.
Commonly known as

ebony trees

Description

Common characteristics are the whitish or pinkish sapwood, the irregular blackish heartwood, sometimes variegated with purple, the fine texture and straight grain, the volumetric weight varies, depending on the species, between 0.90 and 1.30.

Plant morphology

These are both deciduous and evergreen species, growing up to 15-18 m tall. The leaves are large, broadly oval, glabrous, and glossy. The flowers may have aborted stamens, so some species reproduce parthenocarpically. The fruits consist of large, spherical berries, sometimes flattened and pointed.

Natural occurrence

Countries of origin and distribution

Central-Southern Asia: India, Malabar, Bangladesh, Myanmar.

Habitat and ecology

Very important heliophilous species as they are constituents of deciduous monsoon forests, they prefer well-drained soils at low or hilly altitudes.

Uses

Application areas

Its processing is quite arduous. It is used in poles, vehicle parts, handicrafts, cabinetmaking, sculpture, and artistic objects.

Threats and Conservation

Threats

For some species that supply Indian ebony, no data or indications of specific threats are available. For Diospyros paniculata, the main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, and unsustainable overharvesting. For D. crumenata, the main threats are habitat conversion to plantations or fields and dam construction.

Conservation measures

Sustainable forest management is necessary and in situ conservation measures must be implemented to protect habitats.

IUCN Red List IUCN

Diospyros ebenum DD - Data Deficient (1998); D. crumenata CR - Critically Endangered (2022); D. malabarica LC - Least Concern (2021); D. montana LC - Least Concern (2021); D. buxifolia LC - Least Concern (2021); D. paniculata VU - Vulnerable (2014); D. sylvatica LC - Least Concern (2024); D. virginiana LC - Least Concern (2018).

CITES. Year of assessment CITES

CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento

Appendix II - Only populations from Madagascar

Technical data

Aesthetic characteristics

Grain

Not obvious

Texture

Fine

Physical and mechanical properties

Density
ρ

1100 kg/m³

Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.

MPa

Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.

MPa

Bending strength
M.O.R.

129 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.

14070 MPa

Durability characteristics

Fungal resistance

Very durable

Insect resistance

Resistant

Miscellaneous

Those known commercially as Indian ebony are woods obtained from the processing of various species belonging to the Diospyros genus: D. ebenum J. Koenig ex Retz., D. chloroxylon, D. crumenata Thw., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel., D. montana Roxb., D. buxifolia (Blume) Hiern, D. stricta Roxb., D. paniculata Dalz., D. pilosiuscula G.Don, D. sylvatica Roxb., D. virginiana L. Given the state of conservation in nature of many of these species, the use of this wood should be avoided.