Diospyros virginiana L.

Common Persimmon; American Persimmon

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Common Persimmon is a deciduous native tree in the Ebony family (Ebenaceae). It is found state wide in Alabama. It grows in a variety of habitats from floodplain forests, old fields, mesic hardwood forests, and xeric pine woodlands. Common Persimmon grows to a height of eighty feet, though it is often shorter. Plants often grow in clusters produced from root sprouts. The bark is dark grey and broken into rectangular blocks that make this species easy to identify even in winter. The wood is very dense and hard. It has been used for golf club heads, cue sticks for pool, and shuttles for textile weaving. It is not common enough for wider use. Common Persimmon is dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate trees. The flowers are small and bell shaped. They are greenish yellow in color and fragrant. Female flowers are solitary and male flowers occur in clusters. The fruit is extremely astringent until fully ripe. It is a common prank to have people eat an unripe persimmon and watch their face as their mouth puckers! Fully ripe fruit are sweet and consumed by humans and many species of wildlife. They have been used for pies, breads, jellies, and in other baked foods. They can also be eaten fresh or dried like dates. Because the ripe fruit are so soft, they do not ship well. Most Persimmons available in markets are Asian species. Common Persimmon grows well in most soils. It is very drought tolerant. Best growth is in moist, organic rich soils in full sun. Because of its deep tap root, Common Persimmon does not transplant well. Several varieties of Common Persimmon have been selected for the home garden including Meader, John Rick, Early Golden, Garrettson, and Killen. The leaves turn a bright yellow in the autumn. --A. Diamond

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Native FAC (NWPL)

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