Ebenaceae
Quick Summary
Ebenaceae is a family of plants, commonly known as the persimmon or ebony family. This family includes trees and shrubs, with approximately 855 species found in tropical and some temperate regions.1
Key characteristics of Ebenaceae include:
* Leaves: Typically two-ranked, without teeth, and often have dark-colored glands on the lower surface.1
* Flowers: Petals are fused at the base, and the flowers are usually unisexual, meaning male and female flowers are on different plants.1
* Fruit: A berry with large seeds.1
* Wood: Often very hard, with heartwood that is black, similar to ebony wood, which has been used in furniture making.21
Some species within the Diospyros genus are economically important for their wood and fruits, such as persimmons, which can be very astringent before fully ripe. Ebenaceae is part of the order Ebenales, which also includes families like Sapotaceae, Styracaceae, and Symplocaceae.13
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