Diospyros virginiana American persimmon (Ebenaceae) Deciduous tree

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Diospyros virginiana
American persimmon
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Diospyros virginiana plant species is found in Eastern N. America - New England to Florida, west to Texas and Kansas. It is a member of the Ebenaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as American persimmon.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Diospyros virginiana
Common Name:  American persimmon
Family:  Ebenaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  20   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Dry woods, old fields and clearings[43], on light well-drained sandy soils[82]. Found on most soil types from sands to shales and mud bottomlands[149].

Cultivation Notes: Requires a good deep loamy soil in sun or light shade[200]. If being grown for its fruit, the tree requires a warm, sunny, sheltered position[K]. It dislikes very acid or wet and poorly drained soils[200]. Plants are somewhat tender when young[11], though dormant mature trees are hardy to about -35°c[160]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. Dioecious, but the female tree can produce seedless fruits in the absence of a pollinator[1]. It is likely that unfertilized fruits are more astringent than fertilized fruits since this is the case with D. kaki[K]. Trees can start producing fruit when only a few years old, a specimen seen at Kew Botanic gardens in autumn 1996 was only 1.5 metres tall and was bearing a very large crop of fruit[K]. This species is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are several named varieties[82, 183]. 'Dooley' grows well near the northern limits of persimmon culture[183]. 'Geneva Red' also grows well at the northern limits of persimmon culture. The fruit is medium to large[183]. 'Meader' grows well in cooler areas, it is self-fertile[183]. Plants have a long tap root and are difficult to transplant[149, 200], it is best to plant them out in their permanent position as soon as possible and to give protection overwinter for the first year or two[K]. The ssp D. virginiana platycarpa has sweet succulent flesh, it grows wild from Missouri to Arkansas[82].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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