Its English name derives from the small fruit, which have a taste reminiscent of both plums and dates.

The species area extends from East Asia to the west of the Mediterranean, down to Spain.

It was known to the ancient Greeks as "God's fruit" (Διός πυρός, Diós purós), hence the scientific name of the genus.

Its English name probably derives from Persian Khormaloo خرمالو literally "date-plum", referring to the taste of this fruit which is reminiscent of both plums and dates.

[citation needed] This is a tree of height 15–30 m (49–98 ft) with sloughing of aging bark.