Diospyros kaki L. f.

Spice Flower Fruit In the University

Family: EBENACEAE

Genus: Diospyros

Catalan common name: Caqui.

Spanish common name: Caqui. Caqui de China. Kaki. Palo santo.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Chinese-Japanese

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated species.

Description: A small, deciduous tree which rarely grows over 8-10m in height, it has a rounded crown and brown or reddish-brown branches which are covered in hairs. The leaves are oblong, oblong-ovate or elliptic-oval, 5-18cm long, acuminate and decadent in a pubescent petiole. The upper side is glabrous and dark green, while the lower side is pubescent and lighter. The axillary flowers, which are generally tetramers, are yellowish; the masculine ones are normally grouped in threes; the female ones are solitary. The fruit is globular or oval-shaped, 4-9cm in diameter, yellow, orange or red and sweet.

Observations: The fruits remain on the tree once this has lost its leaves, giving it a curious appearance.