Diospyros nigra Diospyros nigra Diospyros nigra, the black sapote, is a species of persimmon. Common names include chocolate pudding fruit, black soapapple and (in Spanish) zapote prieto. The tropical fruit tree is native to eastern Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and into Colombia. The common name sapote refers to any soft, edible fruit. Black sapote is not related to white sapote nor mamey sapote. Mature trees can grow to over in height and are evergreen. It is frost sensitive but can tolerate light frosts. The leaves are elliptic-oblong, tapered at both ends, dark green, glossy and long. Some trees bear only male
Diospyros medical compound betulinic acid. Extracts from "Diospyros" plants have also been proposed as novel anti-viral treatment. Though bees do not play a key role as pollinators, in plantations "Diospyros" may be of some use as honey plants. "D. mollis", locally known as "mặc nưa", is used in Vietnam to dye the famous black "lãnh Mỹ A" silk of Tân Châu district. The reverence of these trees in their native range is reflected by their use as floral emblems. In Indonesia, "D. celebica" (Makassar ebony, known locally as "eboni") is the provincial tree of Central Sulawesi, while ajan kelicung ("D. macrophylla")