West African Ebony, Monkey guava, jackalberry

Diospyros mespiliformis

Physical Characteristics

Diospyros mespiliformis is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Eritrea and Yemen, south to Namibia, Transvaal and Mozambique.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Drink Gum Fruit - raw, cooked, dried or made into beverages by fermentation[ 308 , 332 , 335 ]. A sweet flavour[ 332 , 335 ], similar to the persimmon (D. kaki)[ 332 ]. A kind of soft toffee can be made from the fruits, which along with some other similar edible fruits, such as figs and dates, are known as lubiya[ 332 ]. The globose, yellow fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[ 308 ]. The leaves are sometimes eaten[ 317 , 332 ]. Chemical composition (Sudan sample, after Abdelmuti): Protein (crude) = 3.0% (dry). Fat = 0.9% )(dry). Fibre (crude) = 16.5% (dry). Ash = 4.5% (dry). Carbohydrate (soluble): Starch = 6.1% (dry). Sucrose = 0% (dry). D-Glucose = 7.61% (dry). F-Fructose = 9.9% (dry). Amino acids (g (16g N)-1): Aspartic acid = 5.7g. Threonine = 3.0g. Serine = 3.3g. Glutamic acid = 6.6g. Proline = 7.6g. Glycine = 4.0g. Alanine = 3.3g. Valine = 4.3g. Cysteine = 1.0g. Methionine = 1.0g. Isoleucine = 3.7g. Leucine = 5.0g. Tyrosine = 2.0g. Phenylalanine = 3.3g. Lysine = 4.0g. Histidine = 2.3g. Arginine = 4.0g. Minerals: Sulphur = 0.05% (dry). Phosphorus = 0.11% (dry). Magnesium = 0.08% (dry). Calcium = 0.37% (dry). Na = 0.01% (dry). K = 1.51% (dry). Zinc = 5 mg/kg-1 (dry). Iron = 192 mg/kg-1 (dry). Manganese = 5 kg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 1 mg/kg-1 (dry).

Medicinal Uses

Antiarthritic Antibiotic Antidiarrhoeal Antifungal Astringent Dysentery Febrifuge Haemostatic Laxative Leprosy Mouthwash Odontalgic Skin Stimulant Stomachic Vermifuge The plant is widely used in traditional medicine in parts of Africa, and a number of medically active constituents have been isolated. The principle constituent appears to be plumbagin, which has been shown to have antibiotic, antihaemorrhagic and fungistatic properties. It is found in the root-bark to a concentration of 0.9% and but a trace in the leaves[ 332 ]. Tannin, saponin and a substance probably identical to scopolamine are also present[ 332 ]. There is a high fluoride content[ 332 ]. The leaves are astringent, febrifuge, haemostatic, mildly laxative, stimulant and vermifuge[ 332 , 774 ]. Such reliance is placed on this drug-plant that it is usually prescribed alone[ 332 ]. An infusion is used in the treatment of a range of conditions - it is very effective in the treatment of fevers and infectious fevers; and is also used for dysentery; pneumonia; syphilis; leprosy and yaws[ 332 , 774 ]. A decoction of leafy twigs is taken in draught as a poison-antidote[ 332 ]. The leaves and fruit are used internally for treating menorrhoea and dysenteriform diarrhoea[ 332 ]. Externally, they are used in the treatment of headaches, arthritis and dermal troubles[ 332 ]. The leaves and fruit are chewed or applied as an infusion for treating gingivitis, toothache, as a dressing for cuts and wounds, and to prevent infection[ 332 ]. The sap is instilled into the ear for treating otitis[ 332 ]. An infusion of the bark is used to treat stomach aches[ 398 ]. Applied externally, it is used as a wash on sores, ulcers, etc[ 332 ]. Shavings of the wood, combined with the pods of Acacia nilotica and roots of Borassus spp, are pounded in water and boiled for about two hours, after which the liquid is used in Nigeria to rinse the mouth for treating toothache[ 332 ].. Sap from freshly felled trees, as also water from holes in the tree, or an infusion of the black heart-wood, are similarly used[ 332 ]

Known Hazards

Sawdust of this species, as also of most Diospyros spp., causes dermatitis after continuous contact[ 332 ].