Family: Ebenaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Diospyros blancoi, commonly known as mabolo or velvet apple, is a small to medium-sized tropical tree native to Borneo, the Philippines, and Taiwan. It is valued for its ornamental beauty, with broad, glossy evergreen leaves and attractive reddish new growth. The tree produces round fruits covered in a velvety, reddish-brown skin, enclosing soft, creamy pulp that is eaten fresh or used in desserts and preserves. Mabolo is also known for its dense, dark hardwood, which has been used for fine woodcraft and small furniture items. In Hawaiʻi, it is occasionally grown in home gardens and tropical landscapes for its unique fruit and lush, decorative appearance.
Risks & Threats
Mabolo is considered low risk in Hawaiʻi, although it has been reported as potentially naturalizing on Oʻahu. At present, it does not appear to spread aggressively or form dense populations that displace native plants. Nevertheless, as with any introduced species, continued observation is important. Gardeners can help prevent unintended spread by properly disposing of fallen fruit and monitoring for volunteer seedlings, especially near natural areas. With responsible management, mabolo can remain a distinctive and manageable addition to island gardens.
High Risk Traits:
- Possibly naturalized on Oahu, in the Tantalus-Roundtop area
- Thrives in tropical climates
- The hairs on the fruit may be somewhat irritating to sensitive skin
- Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
- Cleanup required for ripe fruit is a drawback
- Viable seeds may be dispersed by mammals and possibly birds
Low Risk Traits:
- Widely planted in the tropics with no history of negative impacts or weediness
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Edible fruit
- Dioecious (requires male and female trees to produce viable seed)
- Slow growth rate and long time to reproductive maturity (6+ years)
- Ornamental and medical uses
- Timber tree
