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Poison Star-apple
Diospyros dichrophylla
SA tree no: 603
English: Poison Star-apple, Star-apple, Wild Apricot, Common Star-apple, Monkey Apple, Monkey Plum, Poison Peach
Afrikaans: Gifsterappel, Bloubos, Bloukool, Bloukoolhout, Dooiehout, Dooiekoolhout, Gewone Sterappel, Hotnotstolletjie, Jakkalstolbos, Kraaitolbos, Tolbos, Tolletjie, Tolletjies
Zulu: Umnqandane, Mugandani
Venda: Tshithala
Misapplied or old scientific names: Royena dichrophylla, Maba dichrophylla
Diospyros dichrophylla, commonly known as the Poison Star-Apple, is an attractive indigenous evergreen shrub or small tree native to Southern Africa. It is admired for its dense canopy, two-toned leaves, and the unique, velvety, orange-yellow fruits that appear for much of the year.
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Distinguishing features
Forms a dense, rounded canopy with upright-growing branches.
Features distinctive two-toned leaves: glossy dark grey-green on the upper surface and paler green below, often with margins tightly rolled under. The species name "dichrophylla" literally means "two-coloured leaves."
Produces small, creamy-white, bell-shaped, drooping flowers.
Bears unique, slightly flattened, velvety orange-yellow berries that can persist on the tree for an extended period.
Is typically a small tree or large shrub, though it can grow taller in ideal conditions.
Overall appearance:
Diospyros dichrophylla is a densely-leaved, evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree. It maintains a neat, rounded crown, making it an excellent choice for a garden specimen or as part of a mixed planting.
Height:
Typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 metres as a shrub, but can reach up to 13 to 15 metres when growing as a tree in favourable conditions.
Width:
It forms a dense canopy, suggesting a spread of approximately 3 to 5 metres.
Leaves:
The leaves are simple, alternately or spirally arranged on the branches. They are narrowly oblong or egg-shaped, leathery, and have a glossy dark grey-green upper surface with a paler green underside, giving them a distinct two-toned appearance. The margins are often tightly rolled under.
Flowers:
The flowers are small, bell-shaped, and creamy white. They are pentamerous (having parts in fives) with petals and sepals strongly reflexed (bent backwards). Diospyros dichrophylla is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants.
Flowering season:
Flowers appear from November to March.
Fruits:
The fruit is a slightly flattened, depressed-globose (pumpkin-shaped) berry, about 20-25 mm in diameter. It is covered in dense orange-yellow, velvety hairs, making it quite distinctive. A prominent, persistent calyx (the leafy part at the base of the flower) remains at the base of the fruit.
Fruiting season:
Fruits appear from March to October.
Seeds:
Each fruit contains 3 to 8 shiny brown, slender seeds, each about 10 mm long, often with a single dark spot. These seeds are typically flattened and winged, adapted for wind dispersal.
Bark:
The bark is generally grey to brown, and can be smooth to wrinkled, sometimes with whitish patches. On older trunks, it may become uniformly dark brown and granular.
Stems:
The branches are straight-up, contributing to the dense canopy. Young branches are covered with soft, yellowish to pale brownish, velvety hairs.
Wood:
The wood of Diospyros dichrophylla, like other members of the Diospyros genus, is hard and ebony-like.
Thorns:
This species is unarmed and does not have thorns.
Soil type:
It is adaptable to various well-drained soil types, including coastal sandy flats and loamy soils.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to light shade.
Edibility:
Despite its attractive appearance, the fruits of Diospyros dichrophylla are considered poisonous to humans, although they are reportedly eaten by monkeys. It is not recommended for human consumption.
Toxicity:
The plant is known as "Poison Star-Apple" because its berries are toxic to humans if ingested.
Uses:
Ornamental: It is widely used as an ornamental shrub or small tree in gardens, parks, and coastal plantings due to its attractive foliage, persistent fruit, and dense, neat growth habit. It can also be trimmed to form an informal hedge.
Ecological: It is considered an important pioneer plant in certain ecosystems and its fruits are a food source for birds and monkeys.
Ecology:
Diospyros dichrophylla is an ecologically important pioneer species in its natural range, helping to establish vegetation in disturbed or open areas. Its flowers are pollinated by insects, and the fruits are eaten by various birds and monkeys, which then help to disperse its seeds.
Distribution and habitat:
Diospyros dichrophylla is widely distributed along the coastal belt of Southern Africa, from Montagu and the Overberg region in the Western Cape, eastward through the Eastern Cape and along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Its range extends further north into Eswatini, along the Lebombo Mountains, the Soutpansberg, and into Mozambique. It is commonly found in coastal scrub, on coastal sandy flats, and along the edges of forests.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Diospyros is derived from the Greek words 'dios' (divine) and 'pyros' (grain or fruit), collectively meaning "divine fruit," possibly referring to the edible fruits of some other Diospyros species like persimmons.
The specific epithet dichrophylla is Latin, meaning "two-coloured leaves," which accurately describes its foliage where the upper surface is dark and the underside is paler.
Historical aspects:
Like many indigenous plants, Diospyros dichrophylla has long been a part of the natural landscape of Southern Africa. Its widespread use in landscaping is a more recent appreciation of its ornamental value and hardiness.
Interesting facts
Its common name, "Poison Star-Apple," comes from its unique, velvety, orange-yellow fruits that, while tempting, are toxic to humans!
The tree is like a chameleon with its leaves, which are distinctly two-toned – darker on top and paler underneath – a feature captured right in its scientific name, dichrophylla!
Even though its fruits aren't for us, they're a tasty treat for monkeys and birds, making it a mini-supermarket for wildlife in your garden!
Growing tips
Plant in well-drained soil, as it's adaptable to various types, including sandy soils found in coastal areas.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile choice for different garden spots.
Once established, Diospyros dichrophylla is known for its hardiness and ability to tolerate coastal conditions, including some drought and wind.
Minimal pruning is usually required, mainly for shaping or removing any dead branches to maintain its neat appearance.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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