Lost Crops of Africa Volume III: Fruits (2008) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 253-262
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From page 253... ...
These counterparts of the persimmon seem adaptable species; occurring from dry to humid zones all across the continent, from Senegal to Sudan and from Sudan to South Africa. This suggests that various ones could in the future be grown more widely too, and not only as scattered village trees but also as densely planted stands.
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From page 254... ...
In the long run, however, the very valuable wood could be the greater financial prize. Despite their domicile in the wild, African persimmons are particularly enjoyed.
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From page 255... ...
The fruit pulp consists largely of water and carbohydrates, with small quantities of minerals for good measure. Details of the vitamin content are so far unreported, but the pulp can be expected to be a source of vitamin C, with perhaps 25-50 mg per 100 grams.
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From page 256... ...
Because most African ebonies hale from the humid lowlands, hot and steamy sites they would seem to offer excellent prospects, perhaps even in sizeable plantations. Also possible is the concept of "salvation farming," in which threatened native forests would be endowed with economic value by organized harvests of sustainable forest products, including ebony fruits.
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From page 257... ...
Given horticultural selection, ebony fruits may prove just as appealing to tropical Africa as the persimmon is to the temperate world. Foresters, pomologists, and interested plantsmen and plantswomen throughout Africa could probably develop the native persimmons into important crops without massive expenditures or major governmental interventions.
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From page 258... ...
Today's African ebony fruits are much smaller than a persimmon, but larger-fruited forms undoubtedly exist. These should be plucked from hiding.
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From page 259... ...
Marketing Much can be done to better market fruits to consumers in African cities; many will be as new to ebony fruits as Europeans or Asians. Which of the numerous ebony-fruit species to advance is as yet uncertain.
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From page 260... ...
. The fruits are good enough eating and the trees are resilient and productive enough that one writer, after surveying hundreds of wild food plants, considered this species as "perhaps being worth domesticating." 6 "This is a nice fruit," wrote our contributor Harry van den Burg.
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From page 261... ...
Diospyros pallens Thunb. Southern Africa.
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