Diospyros kaki trade name for non-astringent "D. kaki" fruit. "Diospyros kaki" is commonly called Japanese persimmon, Chinese persimmon, kaki (from Japanese name 柿, "kaki"), "kaki" persimmon, and Oriental persimmon. The scientific name "Diospyros kaki" L. f. may be used erroneously for this plant. However, "Diospyros kaki" L. f., published in 1781, is a later homonym of "Diospyros kaki" Thunb., published in 1780. So the name "Diospyros kaki" L. f. is taxonomically illegitimate and not accepted. Similar in shape to an apple tree, the "kaki" tree reaches a size of up to . Its deciduous leaves are medium to dark green, broadly lanceolate,
Ebony prized for its luxuriant, multi-colored wood grain. Mauritius ebony, "Diospyros tessellaria", was largely exploited by the Dutch in the 17th century. Some species in the genus "Diospyros" yield an ebony with similar physical properties, but striped rather than evenly black ("Diospyros ebenum"). Ebony has a long history of use, with carved pieces having been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. By the end of the 16th century, fine cabinets for the luxury trade were made of ebony in Antwerp. The wood's dense hardness lent itself to refined moldings framing finely detailed pictorial panels with carving in very low relief (bas-relief), usually