Diospyros mespiliformis leaves

The leaves of Diospyros mespiliformis are simple, positioned alternately along the stem. Their shape is elliptic to obovate-oblong with a rounded to tapering tip and a tapering base; the margins are entire, often wavy. Petioles of 5 mm to 1 cm in length are typical. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green and glossy with a dull shine, paler green below and usually hairless. Lateral veins angling out from the midrib upon the leaf surface occur more or less in pairs; there are about 15 to 20 of them. In the photo the greenish cream midribs are conspicuous, the lateral veins much less so, but the meandering net-veining is still visible.

An African ebony tree is rarely seen without leaves as the new ones are already growing while the old ones depart; autumn will colour the leaves a dark yellow for a while.

The bristle-tip of the green fruit is visible here, appearing split in this case. Thick, uneven calyx lobes are also present at the base of the fruit (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Grant and Thomas, 2001; Venter and Venter, 1996; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997).