Diospyros glabra buds

The pointed buds of Diospyros glabra have furled corollas protruding from their short, wide calyces like tiny green missiles. Longish peduncles, still stiff at this stage, allow them to point outwards, as if they peer inquisitively at their surroundings. Or at possible targets!

Once they open, the petal lobes recurve while the flowers begin to droop. The style and stamens do not protrude beyond the corolla mouth. Many small flowers may be produced near the stem-tips.

The leaves have entire margins and a midrib fold (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist).