Synonyms: 

Diospyros assimilis Bedd.

Diospyros glaberrima Rottler

Systematic Position

Kingdom:  Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Ericales Bercht. & J. Presl

Family: Ebenaceae

Native: Southern India & Sri Lanka

Common Names

English – Indian Ebony

Malayalam – എബണി

Description: A species of ebony tree known for its dense, dark wood. It is a slow-growing medium-sized tree up to 20-30m tall and up to 90cm in diameter. Bole straight, with buttresses up to 2 m high; crown dense. Bark surface scaly, fissured, black to grey-black. Flowers unisexual; male flowers subsessile, in 3-flowered, axillary cymes, cream; female flowers subsessile, axillary, solitary, pedicels 0.2cm long. Berry, globose or subglobose, to 2 cm across, apiculate, with fruiting calyx lobes accrescent, reflexed; usually 4 seeded.

Habitat: Dry deciduous forests

Distribution: Peninsular India and Sri Lanka

Uses: The wood is utilized for luxury furniture, musical instruments, and ornamental objects due to its exceptional quality and rich color. The wood is used for making door and window handles. The wood is also used in decorative wooden inlays, handmade artwork, and for parts of musical instruments. It is also used to make knife handles, brush holders, and chopsticks.