| Jackal Berry | |
| Diospyros mespiliformis |
Small, purple, one inch round fruit related to the persimmon. Fruits are sweet and have a wide range of uses.
Description: Large tree, usually to 10-25 feet, but some specimens reach 50+ feet in the wild. Flowering occurs during rainy seasons, with fruiting following a couple months later during dry spells.
Hardiness: Unknown.
Growing Environment: Trees prefers moist soils and usually grow near river banks or fresh water sources.
Propagation: Usually grown from seeds.
Uses: Eaten fresh or preserved. Dried fruits are sometimes ground into flour. Seeds are eaten as nuts. Fruits are often used to brew beer or fermented for wine. Fruit and plant parts contain tannin. Bark and roots are used medicinally as an antimicrobial, and as treatments for malaria, syphillis, and leprosy. Wood is used for timber.
Native Range: Native to savannah and woodland areas in most parts of Africa.