PlantFiles: Coastal Ebony, Bois d'Ebene
Diospyros tessellaria

Fairly common throughout the remaining upland and lowland forest of Mauritius Only (Indian Ocean). Tolerates both dry lowland areas and upland wet rainforest. Now rarely coastal. A different species (D. eggretarum and D.melanida) are more suited to coastal environs.
Seeds germinate easily on forest floor when falln from tree. nursery propogation from seed collected from ripe open fruits. Seed does not store well and should be sown immediately. Germination rates moderate to good.
Trees grow slowly. You may have to wait 50 years to harvest the black infamous heartwood.
Prefers temperatures no less than 54 F

This variety is endemic to Mauritius and once upon a time ; it was among the most valuable wood in the world during the 17th century.It's was extinct due to over exploitation by dutch in Mauritius and also by sugar cane plantation. Only a few was remain in the wild and thanks to years of hard work of forestry propagation service ,now it is also available in nurseries.