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Diospyros lotus

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID644017616da47013488865
Scientific name Diospyros lotus
Authority L.
First published in Sp. Pl. : 1057 (1753)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

In the Chinese materia medica, the dried fruit of Diospyros lotus was traditionally decocted in water to produce a sweet tea that was taken for coughs and sore throats (Li Shizhen, Bencao Gangmu, 1596). In Japan, fresh or gently dried leaves are infused in hot water to make a mild tea called “kakicha,” a folk remedy for mildly elevated blood pressure (Matsui et al., 2008). Avicenna recorded in the early‑11th‑century Canon of Medicine that a decoction of the same fruit was used to soothe throat irritation and coughs, and he even recommended a syrup of the boiled fruit mixed with honey to coat the throat (Avicenna, The Canon of Medicine, c. 1025).

Preparation of the leaf tea follows a simple household method. Place 5 g of dried, crumbled leaf material (or a small handful of fresh leaves) in a teapot, pour 250 mL of just‑boiled water over it, cover and steep for 5–7 minutes, then strain. The resulting brew can be consumed warm, up to two cups per day. The decoction of the fruit is made by simmering 10 g of sliced dried fruit in 300 mL of water for 15 minutes, cooling and straining before drinking. If desired, the cooled fruit decoction can be sweetened lightly with honey before drinking. Safety: the leaf tea is generally well tolerated, but pregnant or nursing women should avoid it and people with already low blood pressure should consult a health professional, as the drink can produce a mild hypotensive effect.

Chemical analyses of D. lotus leaves consistently report high levels of flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol and catechin, as well as hydrolyzable tannins and phenolic acids like gallic, caffeic, and chlorogenic acids (Kang and Kim, 2013). The fruit contains abundant vitamin C, carotenoids, and the triterpenoid ursolic acid, compounds that together provide antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and mild astringent actions that could explain the traditional cough‑soothing and antihypertensive uses.

Modern research in Japan has confirmed modest reductions in systolic blood pressure in volunteers drinking two cups of the tea daily, and dried leaf tea marketed as kakicha is now sold in health‑food stores across East Asia, reflecting both scientific interest and continued cultural practice.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Fresh or dried ripe fruits are eaten as food; in some regions they are processed into jam or preserves. The dense, dark heartwood is locally used for carving and tool handles.

Industrial and craft applications:
The fine-grained, heavy heartwood is valued for small carving, turnery, brush backs, handles, and inlay work due to its stability and dark color.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Ripe fruits are consumed fresh or dried and are processed into jam and preserves; in some areas they are included in fruit mixes or syrups.

Wood and fiber:
Timber from mature trees provides dense, fine-grained wood suitable for specialty carpentry and turned objects.

Properties relevant to use:
Wood density is high and grain fine, enabling precise carving and dimensional stability; color variation ranges from sapwood to dark heartwood. Fruit pulp yields products suitable for culinary processing without additional specification.

Standards and regulation:
Timber graded for local use; no international product standards specific to this species are widely cited. Food uses follow general national food laws for fruits and preserves.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Overharvesting for timber can reduce wild populations; efforts include cultivation and selective harvesting to maintain local availability.

References:
Flora of China; PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) Database; CABI Invasive Species Compendium; relevant national/regional timber and food standards.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Dactylus trapezuntinus Forssk. Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. : xxxvi (1775)
Diospyros lotus f. ellipsoidea Makino Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 26: 397 1912
Diospyros lotus f. globosa Makino Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 26: 396 1912
Diospyros lotus f. longifolia Z.Ying Zhang Fl. Tsinling. 1(4): 395 (1983)
Diospyros lotus f. ovoidea Makino Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 26: 397 1912
Diospyros mediterranea Oken Allg. Naturgesch. 3(2): 935 (1841)
Diospyros umlovok Griff. Itin. Pl. Khasyah Mts. : 355 (1848)
Diospyros lotus var. mollissima C.Y.Wu Fl. Rep. Trop. Subtrop. Yunnan 1: 21 (1965)
Diospyros lotus var. laevis H.Ohba & S.Akiyama J. Jap. Bot. 91(Suppl.): 309 (2016)
Diospyros calycina Dippel Handb. Laubholzk. 1: 306 (1889)
Diospyros lotus var. angustifolia Gaudin Fl. Helv. 6: 332 (1830)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English date plum
ab Абнахәырма
Arabic خرمندي
Azerbaijani qafqaz xurması
Azerbaijani adi xurma
azb عادی خورما
Czech tomel obecný
German lotuspflaume
Esperanto lotusdiospiro
Persian دیت-پلام
Finnish taateliluumu
Irish dátphluma
Armenian խուրմա սովորական
hyw Ոսկեպտղի, Ժորի (Խարմա)
Japanese マメガキ
Georgian ჩვეულებრივი ხურმა
Korean 고욤나무
Latvian dateļplūme
Latvian kaukāza hurma
lzh 君遷子
Norwegian Bokmål daddelplomme
Dutch lotusboom
os Кавказаг хурма
Polish hurma kaukaska
Russian хурма кавказская
Slovenian datljev kaki
Slovenian divji kaki
Slovenian lotusni ebenovec
Serbian Драгун
Turkish küçük trabzon hurması
Uzbek kavkaz xurmosi
Vietnamese thị sen
Yoruba date plum
Chinese 君遷子
Chinese 黑枣
Chinese 软枣
Chinese 牛奶柿
Chinese 君迁子

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • Caucasus
      • North Caucasus
      • Transcaucasus
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
      • Manchuria
      • Tibet
    • Eastern Asia
      • Japan
      • Korea
    • Middle Asia
      • Tadzhikistan
    • Western Asia
      • Afghanistan
      • Iran
      • Turkey
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Nepal
      • Pakistan
      • West Himalaya
  • Europe
    • Middle Europe
      • Switzerland
    • Southeastern Europe
      • Albania
      • Bulgaria
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Yugoslavia
    • Southwestern Europe
      • Baleares
      • France
      • Spain

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000649239
USDA Plants DILO8
INPN 95048
Flora of Italy 3967
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:322629-1
The Plant List kew-2770056
Open Tree Of Life 918839
Observations.org 132547
NCBI Taxonomy 55363
IUCN Red List 63524
IPNI 322629-1
iNaturalist 83445
GBIF 3032980
Freebase /m/0b6l5s3
EPPO DOSLO
EOL 482113
Elurikkus 353333
Calflora (Californian flora) 12437
USDA GRIN 14296
Wikipedia Date-plum

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCF_014633365.1 ASM1463336v1 Chromosome BEIJING ACADEMY OF FORESTRY AND POMOLOGY SCIENCES 2020-09-21 167 600.91 Mb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Application of Developmental Regulators for Enhancing Plant Regeneration and Genetic Transformation Xu P, Zhong Y, Xu A, Liu B, Zhang Y, Zhao A, Yang X, Ming M, Cao F, Fu F Plants (Basel) 04-May-2024
PMCID:PMC11085514
doi:10.3390/plants13091272
PMID:38732487
Muscle relaxant and antipyretic effects of pentacyclic triterpenes isolated from the roots of Diospyros lotus L Khan A, Kashtoh H, Rauf A, Halim SA, Aleem AA, Bahadar H, Shareef H, Mabood F, Khalid A, Baek KH, Al-Harrasi A Heliyon 30-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11079251
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30547
PMID:38726163
Osteogenic Effects of the Diospyros lotus L. Leaf Extract on MC3T3-E1 Pre-Osteoblasts and Ovariectomized Mice via BMP2/4 and TGF β Pathways Hong S, Lazerka N, Jeon BJ, Kim JD, Erdenebileg S, Nho CW, Yoo G Nutrients 22-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11053699
doi:10.3390/nu16081247
PMID:38674937
Breaking boundaries: a novel role for CUC genes in sex determination in cucurbits Pelayo MA, Wellmer F J Exp Bot 27-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10967247
doi:10.1093/jxb/erae056
PMID:38534185
Genomics insights into flowering and floral pattern formation: regional duplication and seasonal pattern of gene expression in Camellia Hu Z, Fan Z, Li S, Wang M, Huang M, Ma X, Liu W, Wang Y, Yu Y, Li Y, Sun Y, Li X, Li J, Yin H BMC Biol 27-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10900828
doi:10.1186/s12915-024-01851-y
PMID:38414012
New Alien Plant Taxa for Italy and Europe: An Update Musarella CM, Laface VL, Angiolini C, Bacchetta G, Bajona E, Banfi E, Barone G, Biscotti N, Bonsanto D, Calvia G, Cambria S, Capuano A, Caruso G, Crisafulli A, Del Guacchio E, Di Gristina E, Domina G, Fanfarillo E, Fascetti S, Fiaschi T, Galasso G, Mascia F, Mazzacuva G, Mei G, Minissale P, Motti R, Perrino EV, Picone RM, Pinzani L, Podda L, Potenza G, Rosati L, Stinca A, Tavilla G, Villano C, Wagensommer RP, Spampinato G Plants (Basel) 24-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10934091
doi:10.3390/plants13050620
PMID:38475466
A k-mer-based bulked segregant analysis approach to map seed traits in unphased heterozygous potato genomes Sonsungsan P, Nganga ML, Lieberman MC, Amundson KR, Stewart V, Plaimas K, Comai L, Henry IM G3 (Bethesda) 15-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10989861
doi:10.1093/g3journal/jkae035
PMID:38366577
Exploring the benefits of wild plants in dietary nutrition: investigating perspectives, choices, health impacts and sustainable practices Anwar T, Qureshi H, Shahzadi S, Siddiqi EH, Ali HM, Abdelhamid MM, Nazim M BMC Complement Med Ther 14-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10865668
doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04379-4
PMID:38355544
PfPIN5 promotes style elongation by regulating cell length in Primula forbesii Franch Liu Y, Si W, Fu S, Wang J, Cheng T, Zhang Q, Pan H Ann Bot 08-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC11006536
doi:10.1093/aob/mcae004
PMID:38190350
Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Extracts and Their Drug Discovery Perspective in Atopic Dermatitis Lee JW, Kim EN, Jeong GS Biomol Ther (Seoul) 01-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10762282
doi:10.4062/biomolther.2023.102
PMID:38148551
Chromosome-level genome assembly and demographic history of Euryodendron excelsum in monotypic genus endemic to China Wang ZF, Fu L, Yu EP, Zhu WG, Zeng SJ, Cao HL DNA Res 26-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10781514
doi:10.1093/dnares/dsad028
PMID:38147541
Wild Edible Fruits as a Source of Food and Medicine: A Study among Tribal Communities of Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ul Abidin SZ, Khan R, Ahmad M, Cuerrier A, Zafar M, Ullah A, Khan J, Saeed A, Al-Qahtani WH, Kazi M Plants (Basel) 21-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10780817
doi:10.3390/plants13010039
PMID:38202347
Identification of miRNA858 long-loop precursors in seed plants Wang WQ, Liu XF, Zhu YJ, Zhu JZ, Liu C, Wang ZY, Shen XX, Allan AC, Yin XR Plant Cell 19-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC11062470
doi:10.1093/plcell/koad315
PMID:38114096
GRASSY TILLERS1 (GT1) and SIX-ROWED SPIKE1 (VRS1) homologs share conserved roles in growth repression Gallagher JP, Man J, Chiaramida A, Rozza IK, Patterson EL, Powell MM, Schrager-Lavelle A, Multani DS, Meeley RB, Bartlett ME Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 14-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10742383
doi:10.1073/pnas.2311961120
PMID:38096411
Kiwifruit Monodehydroascorbate Reductase 3 Gene Negatively Regulates the Accumulation of Ascorbic Acid in Fruit of Transgenic Tomato Plants Jia D, Gao H, He Y, Liao G, Lin L, Huang C, Xu X Int J Mol Sci 06-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10742914
doi:10.3390/ijms242417182
PMID:38139009

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Vinca alkaloids
Vinblastine (Vincaleucoblastine) 241903 Click to see 811.00 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S11130-009-0133-0
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 3469 Click to see 154.12 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid 135 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O 138.12 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
Protocatechuic Acid 72 Click to see 154.12 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives
Syringic Acid 10742 Click to see 198.17 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids
Gallic Acid 370 Click to see 170.12 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
https://doi.org/10.1007/S11130-009-0133-0
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters
Methyl Gallate 7428 Click to see 184.15 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S11130-009-0133-0
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
Vanillic Acid 8468 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O 168.15 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Salicylic acid and derivatives / Salicylic acids
Salicylic Acid 338 Click to see 138.12 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
> Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthoquinones
5-Hydroxy-2-[5-hydroxy-6-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-5,8-dioxonaphthalen-1-yl)-7-methyl-1,4-dioxonaphthalen-2-yl]-6-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-5,8-dioxonaphthalen-1-yl)-7-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione 157288178 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=O)C=C(C2=O)C3=CC(=O)C4=C(C3=O)C=C(C(=C4O)C5=C6C(=O)C=CC(=O)C6=C(C=C5C)O)C)C(=C1C7=C8C(=O)C=CC(=O)C8=C(C=C7C)O)O 746.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01020-0
7-Methyljuglone 26905 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=O)C=CC2=O)C(=C1)O 188.18 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1218(83)90182-9
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(01)87659-7
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
8-Hydroxy-2-(8-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,4-dioxonaphthalen-2-yl)-6-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione 167673 Click to see 374.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1218(83)90182-9
Isodiospyrin 99298 Click to see 374.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1218(83)90182-9
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(01)87659-7
> Benzenoids / Tetralins
Isoshinanolone 443777 Click to see 192.21 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols
Hentriacontan-1-ol 68345 Click to see 452.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97297-2
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesterterpenoids / Scalarane sesterterpenoids
(4aR,6aR,6aS,8aR,12aS,14aR,14bR)-4,4,6a,6a,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-2,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picen-3-one 392170 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CC=C3C4(CCC5C(C(=O)CCC5(C4CCC3(C2C1)C)C)(C)C)C)C)C 424.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567057
Taraxerol 92097 Click to see 426.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567057
Taraxerol acetate 94225 Click to see 468.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
Taraxerone 92785 Click to see 424.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567057
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Ursolic Acid 64945 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
(3S,4aR,6aR,6aR,8aR,12aS,14aR,14bR)-4,4,6a,8a,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydro-1H-picen-3-ol 162879940 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
(4aR,6aR,6aR,8aR,12aS,14aR,14bR)-4,4,6a,8a,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-1,2,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-one 102035711 Click to see 410.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
10-Acetyloxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid 619165 Click to see 498.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
3beta-Hydroxy-17alpha-19,28-epoxyoleanan-28-one 12305934 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01020-0
4,4,6a,8a,11,11,14b-Heptamethyl-1,2,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-one 162993022 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CC=C3C(C2C1)CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C)C 410.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
4,4,6a,8a,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydro-1H-picen-3-ol 162879938 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CC=C3C(C2C1)CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C)C 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
Acetylursolic acid 15917992 Click to see 498.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567057
Beta-Amyrin 73145 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C 426.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567057
Betulinic Acid 64971 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567057
Urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-hydroxy-, (3beta)- 220774 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
Urs-12-ene-3,28-diol, (3beta)- 3266408 Click to see 442.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
Ursolic acid acetate 6475119 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)OC(=O)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 498.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567057
Uvaol 92802 Click to see 442.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80490-2
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
P-Coumaric Acid 637542 Click to see 164.16 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF960741C
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Kaempferol 5280863 Click to see 286.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S11130-009-0133-0
Myricetin 5281672 Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O 318.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S11130-009-0133-0
Quercetin 5280343 Click to see 302.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S11130-009-0133-0
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins
Ellagic Acid 5281855 Click to see 302.19 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S11130-009-0133-0

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