Diospyros pruriens Dalz. (EBENACEAE)
Description: The trees can reach heights of up to 12 meters. Young parts of the trees are covered in fine hair (hirsute). The leaves are arranged alternately and are oblong-lanceolate, measuring up to 15 by 6.5 cm, with a subcordate base and an acuminate apex. Both the margins and midrib of the leaves are covered in fine hair, while the petiole is densely hairy. Flowers unisexual. Male flowers in 3-flowered axillary cymes, yellow. Calyx deeply 4-lobed, hairy. Corolla lobes 4, oblong, silky hairy without. Stamens 13-14, connate at base. Pistilode hairy. Female flowers solitary, axillary. Calyx deeply 4-lobed. Corolla lobes 4, ovate-oblong, silky hairy without. Staminodes 4. Ovary 4-celled, hairy; ovule 1 in each cell. Fruit a berry, ovoid, up to 2 cm long, bristly hairy; fruiting calyx linear.
Flowering & Fruiting: February – May
Distribution: India: In semi-evergreen and evergreen forests of Western Ghats. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
