This low, multi-stemmed tree species resembles the related species Diospyros egrettarum (and less so Diospyros revaughanii) in its dark, rectangular, leathery leaves, rounded leaf-base, very short petiole, and short fruits.

Diospyros leucomelas can be distinguished by the red midribs of its leaves, which remain into adulthood and become especially prominent on the leaf undersides.

[1] Like Diospyros egrettarum, it occurred in coastal and dry forest, all around Mauritius, and was especially common along the eastern coast.

However, D.leucomelas usually grew at mid-altitudes, slightly further from the coast than its close relative.

[2] Currently, D.leucomelas can still be found in the south-west of Mauritius, as well as in some of the mountainous areas in the east.