Diospyros ovalifolia
# Diospyros ovalifolia

Diospyros ovalifolia, known as bastard ebony, is a tree in the family, Ebenaceae (Ebony family), endemic to the leeward side of South Sahyadri of Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka.

## Description

Full grown trees usually stand 12m tall.

Young branches are sparse-adpressed hairy. Leaves are simple, alternate, and distichous. Petiole is 0.5-1.0 cm long, canaliculate and glabrous. Lamina is 5-13 x 1.5–5 cm, usually narrow obovate. The leaf is coriaceous and glabrous with entire margin. Secondary veins are in 6-9 pairs.

## Ecology

Trees are found in dry evergreen forests up to 800 m altitude. With mature crowns occupying the canopy layer of the forest, they are known as canopy trees.

## Vernacular names

The plant is known as:

* Malayalam: Karimaram, Vedukkanari, Karimpala
* Sinhala: KunuMaella
* Others: Karimbala, Vedi kandru, Karimaram

## Flowering

Flowering and fruiting is usually in between March–August.

