I was pretty surprised to see this small bushy fruit tree growing on a private property. Truth be told I smelt it before I saw it. Even when not in fruit or flower, this remarkable tree exudes a characteristic slight foetid to sweet smell that distinguishes it instantly. Then there are the large longish leathery leaves with rows of dots on each side of the midrib. Then there is also the felty rusty brown persimon-like fruits the smell of which packs a punch. In short, this is a very distinctive trees. Try the fruits too. Many years ago I cut this fruit open and I got a first-hand appreciation why this tree is known as Butter-fruit, among it’s many other names. The flesh is yellow and cheesy like butter, and it is also sweet. However, it might take a strong stomach to overlook the foetid smell before one can perhaps truly enjoy this tropical fruit.
Note the glands on each side of the midrib of the leaves.
This tree is a native of the Philippines and has been previously known as Diospyros philippinensis and also D. discolor. It is also known under many vernacular names such as Mabolo, or in its native region as Kamagong. It is also known descriptively as Velvet Apple, and is widely cultivated in southeast asia as a fruit tree and an ornamental.
Leaf Whispering in the Tropics 