Diospyros austro-africana var. austro-africana calyx

The persistent calyx of the Diospyros austro-africana var. austro-africana fruit shown here clasps about half of the globular berry.

The sepal tips are thick and rounded, forming a pronounced ridge or lip. The older fruit in the cluster has lost the earlier pale green colouring, as well as some of its hairiness. The smooth fruit surfaces have more hairs here than the rough, bulging calyces.

The style tip tends to persist on top of the fruit (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iSpot; www.pza.sanbi.org).