Formation of Ebony and Streaked Woods

Abstract

Samples of 175 Diospyros species were examined with 27 containing some ebonised wood which was rarely uniformly jet black. Ebony is commonly composed of a series of axial and alternating black and paler streaks, often in characteristic patterns as in D. celebica. Large amounts of black non-structural deposits first appear in vessels, then fibres, and the origin of these materials could not be found. Deposits were absent from the axial and ray parenchyma of the paler streaks. Crystals were present in some species. Fungi have been detected in tissues adjacent to ebonised wood which appears to be formed differently from normal heartwood.