| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Basal Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ebenaceae
Family Common Name: Ebony Family
Genera: Diospyros |
Defining Features: Plants
in this family are being pollinated by insects and its berries by birds
or mammals.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Inflorescences are determinate, usually reduced to a solitary
flower. Flowers are unisexual and actinomorphic. Plants are dioecious.
Ovaries are superior with axile placentation. Fruit and Seed Features:
Dicotyledon. Fruit is a berry. Vegetative Features: Habit as shrubs or
trees. Leaves are alternate and simple. Leaf margin is entire with pinnate
venation. Leaves have nectar gland on abaxial surface. Estipulate.
Distribution: Pan-tropical
and few species in temperate regions.
Economic Use: As source of
edible fruits (Persimmon) and some species provide important timber (Ebony).
Number of Genera Globally:
3
Number of Species Globally:
500
