Diospyros and the myth of the forbidden fruit

In the genus Diospyros (Greek for ‘grain ∞ food of the gods’) there are fruits (persimmons) that are highly valued for eating, fruits used to poison fish, and fruits that are reputed to have poisoned people. To the last category belong the terrible trio of D. demona Bakh. (‘daemona’), D. insidiosa Bakh., and D. perfida Bakh., respectively demonic, insidious, and perfidious! Diospyros insidiosa got its name from an incident in Sigli in the Aceh Province of Sumatra, reported by Bakhuizen [Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg III, 15 (1937) 142]: “Eight men who, when on patrol had eaten of these fruits, fell dangerously ill and one of them died. The Achinese likewise assert that the fruits are very poisonous.”