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 in typical fashion while the flowers begin to droop. The style and stamens do not protrude beyond the corolla mouth. Many of the small flowers may be produced near the stem-tips.

The leaves display entire margins and a midrib fold (Coates Palgrave, 2002).