Diospyros Diospyros Diospyros is a genus of over 700 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. The majority are native to the tropics, with only a few species extending into temperate regions. Individual species valued for their hard, heavy, dark timber, are commonly known as ebony trees, while others are valued for their fruit and known as persimmon trees. Some are useful as ornamentals and many are of local ecological importance. The generic name "Diospyros" comes from a Latin name for the Caucasian persimmon ("D. lotus"), derived from the Greek "diós" () and "pyrós" (). The Greek name literally means
Diospyros decandra Diospyros decandra Diospyros decandra, is a tropical tree in the ebony family. Its flowers are white. It is a popular tree in Vietnam where it is grown in urban areas and close to temples. It is called "cây thị" in Vietnamese and it has appeared in Vietnamese folklore, such as "The Story of Tam and Cam". It is also the provincial tree of Chanthaburi Province, Thailand; its Thai name is ลูกจัน "luuk-jan". It is a small plant (about 5–6 m tall). Its leaves are 6–8 cm long and 3–4 cm wide with a pointed tip. Its fruits are yellow-colored and