Diospyros mabacea
Encyclopedia
Diospyros mabacea, the Red-fruited Ebony is a rare rainforest
tree in the Ebony or Persimmon family
growing in north eastern New South Wales
. Listed as endangered by extinction.
, however, it is possible that it once grew there before the extensive urban development in the mid 20th century.
This tree is seldom seen at maturity in its natural setting. However, it is planted in botanic gardens in Australia. It is possible that trees of this species may only exist, if planted by man.
trees.
of various shapes. Sometimes round or egg shaped, long and thin, or other times flat like a pumpkin. Up to four and a half cm long. The flesh is whitish, dry, without taste and unpalatable. Fruit usually contains between two to six seeds. Seeds are brown, curved and triangular in cross section.
at the Tweed River.
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
tree in the Ebony or Persimmon family
Ebenaceae
The Ebenaceae are a family of flowering plants, which includes ebony and persimmon. The family has approximately 500 species of trees and shrubs in two genera, Diospyros and Euclea. The species are mostly evergreen and native to the tropics and subtropics, with a few deciduous species native to...
growing in north eastern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Listed as endangered by extinction.
Habitat
Found at only thirteen sites in sub tropical rainforest near Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby (28° S), growing at low altutide. The original habitat is mostly destroyed by land clearing and housing. The current populations are threatened by invasive plants, particularly vines. Cattle trample over seedlings in private property. Not recorded in the nearby Gold CoastGold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
, however, it is possible that it once grew there before the extensive urban development in the mid 20th century.
This tree is seldom seen at maturity in its natural setting. However, it is planted in botanic gardens in Australia. It is possible that trees of this species may only exist, if planted by man.
Trunk and Bark
The trunk is dark and almost "hairy", with irregular plates of bark that flake off. With rough greyish brown bark. The base of the tree isn't particularly buttressed, but is sometimes crooked. Beneath the bark, the trunk appears somewhat creamy in colour.Leaves
Leaves 6 to 15 cm long, 2 to 5 cm wide. Paler below than on top of the leaf. Leaves alternate on the stem is the case with DiospyrosDiospyros
Diospyros is a genus of about 450–500 species of deciduous and evergreen trees. The majority are native to the tropics, with only a few species extending into temperate regions. They are commonly known as ebony or persimmon trees...
trees.
Flowers & Fruit
Small flowers occur in September. Red fruit appears between January and March. Similar to a cherry tomatoCherry tomato
A cherry tomato is a small variety of tomato that has been cultivated since at least the early 1800s and thought to have originated in Peru and Northern Chile. Cherry tomatoes range in size from a thumbtip up to the size of a golf ball, and can range from being spherical to slightly oblong in shape...
of various shapes. Sometimes round or egg shaped, long and thin, or other times flat like a pumpkin. Up to four and a half cm long. The flesh is whitish, dry, without taste and unpalatable. Fruit usually contains between two to six seeds. Seeds are brown, curved and triangular in cross section.
Name
The specific epithet mabacea is from the Latin, "resembling Maba" As this plant was originally placed in the genus Maba. The original specimen was collected by Charles MooreCharles Moore (botanist)
Charles Moore was an Australian botanist. He arrived in Sydney on 14 January 1848 and took up the position of Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, a position he held until 5 May 1896. In this time he undertook several trips in eastern New South Wales as a plant and seed collector.He...
at the Tweed River.