Diospyros frutescens Bl., Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. (1825)
Latin for 'shrubby'.

Synonyms
Diospyros atra Merr.

Description
Understorey tree up to 17 m tall and 18 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 2 mm in diameter, green, with corolla tube, placed in stalked bundles in leaf axils. Fruit ca. 16 mm long, green-black, fleshy berry.

Ecology
In undisturbed forests up to 500 m altitude. On wet places along riversides and hill sides, with clay soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.

Uses
The fruits are used as fish poison.

Distribution
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, East-Kalimantan), Celebes, Moluccas?

Local names in Borneo
Buah tubai, Kayu malam.