Diospyros blancoi, (synonym Diospyros discolor), commonly known as velvet apple, velvet persimmon, kamagong, or mabolo tree,[1] is a tree of the genus Diospyros of ebony trees and persimmons. It produces edible fruit with a fine, velvety, reddish-brown fur-like covering. The fruit has a soft, creamy, pink flesh, with a taste and aroma comparable to peaches.[2]
| Velvet apple | |
|---|---|
| |
| A velvet apple | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ebenaceae |
| Genus: | Diospyros |
| Species: | D. blancoi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Diospyros blancoi A.DC.
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| Synonyms | |
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It is widely distributed and native to the Philippines, but it is also native to eastern and southern Taiwan.[3][1][4] It has also been introduced to other parts of Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, South Asia, the Caribbean, Florida, and other tropical regions.[5]
Cultivation
editIt is a dioecious tropical tree that grows well in a diversity of soil, from sea level to 750 metres (2,400 ft) above sea level. Seed trees are normally planted 10–15 metres (30–45 ft) from each other; this one can be planted from 7.5–9 metres (25–30 ft) from each other. It needs a good distribution of rainfall through the year. Trees that were planted by seeds could take 6 or 7 years to give out fruit, but trees that were propagated by cuttings produce fruit in 3 or 4 years. It is a very productive tree.[citation needed]
The fact that fruits vary greatly – in shape, color, hairiness and taste – suggests that there is a great deal of genetic variation in the plant. Seedless cultivars exist, and are highly favored since in the normal varieties the large seeds occupy a considerable volume of the fruit.[citation needed]
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Velvet apple (Diospyros discolor)
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Velvet apple (sliced)
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Velvet apple (Diospyros discolor) seeds
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Mabolo fruit
Timber
editLike that of other trees in Dyospiros, which includes ebony, Kamagong timber is extremely dense and hard and is famous for its dark color.[citation needed]
The wood is generally used for house construction which include flooring, post, doors, and windows, among others.[6] Finished products from kamagong wood, such as fine furniture and decoratives can be exported, provided that they are properly documented and approved by the Customs authorities.[citation needed] Kamagong is also popular for martial arts training implements such as bokken and eskrima sticks.[7]
Secondary metabolites
editThe leaves of velvet apple trees have been shown to contain isoarborinol methyl ether (also called cylindrin) and fatty esters of α- and β-amyrin.[8] Both isoarborinol methyl ether and the amyrin mixture demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.[8] Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties have also been shown for the isolated amyrin mixture.[8]
Governance
editIt is an endangered tree species and protected by Philippine law – it is illegal to export kamagong timber from the country without special permission from the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Diospyros blancoi". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 20 Nov 2016.
- ^ Hargreaves, Dorothy; Hargreaves, Bob (1970). Tropical Trees of the Pacific. Kailua, Hawaii: Hargreaves. p. 29.
- ^ Boning, Charles R. (2006). Florida's Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. p. 135. ISBN 1561643726.
- ^ Hung, Sheng-Feng; Roan, Su-Feng; Chang, Tsu-Liang; King, Hen-Biau; Chen, Iou-Zen (January 2016). "Analysis of aroma compounds and nutrient contents of mabolo (Diospyros blancoi A. DC.), an ethnobotanical fruit of Austronesian Taiwan". Journal of Food and Drug Analysis. 24 (1): 83–89. doi:10.1016/j.jfda.2015.08.004. PMC 9345435. PMID 28911412.
- ^ Morton, Julia F. (1987). Fruits of Warm Climates. Creative Resources Systems. ISBN 9780961018412.
- ^ Traditional and Emerging Species for Furniture and Handicraft Industries (PDF). ERDB, College, Laguna, Philippines: Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau. 2010. p. 31. ISBN 978-971-8831-28-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Maningas, Rad (8 Apr 2015). Balintawak: Lessons in Eskrima. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-4917-4997-5. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Ragasa, CY; Puno, MR; Sengson, JMA; Shen, CC; Rideout, JA; Raga, DD (November 2009). "Bioactive triterpenes from Diospyros blancoi". Natural Product Research. 23 (13): 1252–1258. doi:10.1080/14786410902951054. PMID 19731144. S2CID 205836127.
External links
editMedia related to Diospyros discolor at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Diospyros discolor at Wikispecies