ebony

An evergreen or deciduous tree, native to tropical and subtropical regions, but mainly concentrated in lowland rainforest; leaves alternate, entire, often forming flattened sprays; flowers unisexual, solitary or in small clusters in leaf axils, urn-shaped with 3–5 spreading lobes, white, yellow, or reddish; fruit a berry seated on a persistent calyx. In most species the white outer wood is soft, but the black heartwood, the ebony of commerce, is very hard. Several species are cultivated, both for their superior timber and for the edible fruits (persimmons). (Genus: Diospyros, 500 species. Family: Ebenaceace.)

Ebony (Diospyros ebenum), also known as Indian Ebony or Ceylon Ebony, is a tree in the genus Diospyros, native to southern India and Sri Lanka.