Diospyros discolor Diospyros discolor Diospyros discolor (commonly known as velvet apple, velvet persimmon or mabolo tree) is a tree of the genus "Diospyros" of ebony trees and persimmons. Its edible fruit has a skin covered in a fine, velvety fur which is usually reddish-brown, and soft, creamy, pink flesh, with a taste and aroma comparable to fruit cream cheese. It is native to the Philippines, where "kamagong" usually refers to the entire tree, and "mabolo" or "tálang" is applied to the fruit. It is a dioecious tropical tree that grows well in a diversity of soil, from the sea level to the
Diospyros virginiana to vary in the character and quality of its fruit, in size this varies from that of a large cherry to a small apple. Some trees in the south produce fruit that is delicious without the action of the frost, while adjoining trees produce fruit that never becomes edible. It was brought to England before 1629 and is cultivated, but rarely if ever ripens its fruit. It is easily raised from seed and can also be propagated from stolons, which are often produced in great quantity. The tree is hardy in the south of England and in the Channel Islands.