Diospyros digyna
Family: Ebenaceae
Common Name: Chocolate Pudding Fruit

Related to the persimmon, black sapote produces round fruits, about 5-12 cm (2-5 in) in diameter. Fruits are olive green, becoming almost black at maturity, with a very sweet, dark chocolate flesh that can be scooped from the fruit and eaten fresh. The tree is an ever-green, to 8-15 m (26-50 ft) high, with elliptical leaves about 20 cm (8 in) long and small, white, fragrant flowers. Black sapote is native to Mexico and Central America, although it is now naturalized in many parts of tropical Asia.

Cultivation

In climates prone to frost, grow in a warm greenhouse or conservatory as a young foliage plant. Use pots of rich, soil-based potting compost. Water well during the growing season. Outdoors this tree grows best in well-drained soil of high fertility. Propagation is from seed in spring, or by shield budding in summer.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 10 to tropical.