Diospyros mespiliformis, the jackalberry (also known as African ebony and by its Afrikaans name jakkalsbessie), is a large dioecious evergreen[2] tree found mostly in the savannas of Africa.

The foliage is dense and dark green with elliptical leaves, which are often eaten by grazing animals such as elephants and buffalo.

The female tree bears fruit in the dry season and these are eaten by many wild animals; they are oval-shaped, yellow or purple when ripe[3] and about 20–30 mm in diameter.

[3] Like the marula, the tree is favoured by the Bantu, who will leave them growing in their cultivated lands in order to harvest the fruit.

[5] The fruit is edible for humans; its flavor has been described as lemon-like, with a chalky consistency when unripe, and sweet fleshy when ripe.