Diospyros whyteana leaves of a sapling

Diospyros whyteana, commonly known as the bladdernut, is usually a shrub with attractive shiny and sparsely hairy leaves. Sometimes reaching tree status, it has a number (No. 611) on the National List of Indigenous Trees, compiled by the Dendrological Foundation.

The sepals of the flower join during the fruiting stage to create the inflated looking shape of the fruit covering. This brought about the bladdernut name.

While there are more illustrious tree relatives in the Diospyros genus, like the African ebony or jakkalsbessie (Afrikaans), this is a worthwhile plant to consider for the garden (Schmidt, et al, 2002).