Diospyros lotus

Diospyros lotus L., Sp. Pl. 1057 1753. (syn: Dactylus trapezuntinus Forssk.; Diospyros calycina Dippel; Diospyros lotus f. ellipsoidea Makino; Diospyros lotus f. globosa Makino; Diospyros lotus f. longifolia Z.Y.Zhang; Diospyros lotus var. lotus ; Diospyros lotus var. mollissima C.Y.Wu; Diospyros lotus f. ovoidea Makino; Diospyros mediterranea Oken; Diospyros microcarpa Siebold; Diospyros umlovok Griff.);
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Diospyros lotus, with common names date-plum, Caucasian persimmon, or lilac persimmon, is a widely cultivated species of the genus Diospyros, native to subtropical southwest Asia and southeast Europe. Its English name derives from the small fruit, which have a taste reminiscent of both plums and dates. It is among the oldest plants in cultivation.

The species area extends from East Asia to the west of the Mediterranean, down to Spain. The date-plum is native to southwest Asia and southeast Europe.

It was known to the ancient Greeks as “God’s fruit” (Διός πυρός, Diós pŷrós), hence the scientific name of the genus. Its English name probably derives from Persian Khormaloo خرمالو literally “date-plum”, referring to the taste of this fruit which is reminiscent of both plums and dates. This species is one candidate for the “lotus tree” mentioned in The Odyssey: it was so delicious that those who ate it forgot about returning home and wanted to stay and eat lotus with the lotus-eaters.^[2]

The tree grows in the lower and middle mountain zones in the Caucasus. They usually grow up to 600 m above sea level. In Central Asia, it rises higher—up to 2000 m. They rarely grow in stands but often grow with hackberry, ash, maple and other deciduous species. It is not demanding on the soil and can grow on rocky slopes but requires a well lit environment.

It is cultivated at the limits of its range, as well as in the U.S. and North Africa and also in Pakistan.

This is a tree height of 15–30 m with sloughing of aging bark. The leaves are shiny, leathery, oval shape with pointed ends, 5–15 cm long and 3–6 cm in width. The flowers are small, greenish, appearing in June to July. Fruits are berries with juicy flesh, yellow when ripe, 1–2 cm in diameter. Seeds with thin skin and a very hard endosperm.

(from Wikipedia on 12.6.17)

ID Requested AT JUNE 2017/04 : 4 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (4)

Kindly Identify
Shimla
May 2016
Small Tree

This appears to be Diospyros lotus L. [Ebenaceae].

Thank you, … I was familiar only with the fruits of Diospyros lotus locally known as Maluk.

I have never seen fruits on this single plant growing at the Ridge, Shimla.

SK892 09 DEC-2017:ID : 16 posts by 4 authors. Attachments (2)

Ziziphus dry fruits brought from Kuwait by some friend. ID ?

Never seen Ziziphus Species with flat seeds. Could be something else.

Diospyros lotus L. ???

Most probably Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.

Seeds of Ziziphus spina-christi are different according to the Google. As such it may not be Ziziphus sp. Keeping in mind the shape of seeds and pattern of seeds in the dry fruit it looks some sp. of Diospyros sp.

Pl. check with the diospyros species you recently posted from Nepal (though not initially posted as diospyros)

Also check Diospyros kaki Thunb. Just a guess, in case seeds are like this as I think it is widely cultivated.

The dried fruit is quite smaller in size, little bigger than the size of cherry, compared to D. kaki.

As such, it may not be D. kaki but D. lotus or some other smaller fruit bearing Diospyros.

Enclosing a link for reference please.

Link1

Link2

Yes, …,

Diospyros lotus seeds look similar as per the following:

http://www.vilmorin-tree-seeds.com/seeds/rootstock-of-fruit-trees/entry-12967-diospyros-lotus.html

http://massspectrumbotanicals.net/shop/diospyros-lotus/

https://www.bonsai-shop.com/it/bonsai-semi-di-albero-diospyros-lotus-persimmon/a-4870/