Benin Ebony vs Coastal Jackal-berry

Diospyros iturensis compared with Diospyros inhacaensis

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Benin Ebony	Coastal Jackal-berry
Kingdom same	Plantae (planta)	Plantae (planta)
Phylum same	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class same	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order same	Ericales (Ericales)	Ericales (Ericales)
Family same	Ebenaceae	Ebenaceae
Genus same	Diospyros	Diospyros
Species	Diospyros iturensis	Diospyros inhacaensis

Evolutionary Relationship

Benin Ebony and Coastal Jackal-berry share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Diospyros.

Conservation Status

Benin Ebony

LC — Least Concern

Coastal Jackal-berry

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Benin Ebony	Coastal Jackal-berry
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Benin Ebony

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Coastal Jackal-berry

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Benin Ebony

The Benin Ebony (Diospyros iturensis) is a species in the genus Diospyros. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Coastal Jackal-berry

Diospyros inhacaensis, the coastal jackal berry, is a small to medium-sized tree in the family Ebenaceae native to the coastal forests and littoral woodland of eastern Africa, particularly along the coastlines of Mozambique and extending into Tanzania and possibly southeastern Kenya. The genus Diospyros includes the persimmons and the commercially important ebonies valued for their extremely dense, dark heartwood. Diospyros inhacaensis inhabits coastal dune forest, coral rag thicket, and the margin of mangrove swamp systems in the East African coastal zone, tolerating the saline soils and salt-laden air of the littoral environment. The species produces small, fleshy fruits that are consumed by a range of frugivorous birds and small mammals, which disperse seeds through coastal forest habitats. The common name jackal berry is applied to several Diospyros species across Africa whose fruits are consumed by jackals and other carnivores along with primary frugivores. The coastal jackal berry is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though the coastal forests of East Africa are considered among the most threatened ecosystems in Africa, with high rates of clearing for agriculture, charcoal production, and uncontrolled urban expansion that continue to reduce this irreplaceable habitat.