Diospyros virginianaIndiana Native
Common Persimmon

Family:

Ebenaceae (Ebony Family) 2

Genus:

Diospyros (Persimmon) 2

Plant Type:

Tree 576

Growth Forms:

Upright 576

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 520

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 842

Flower Notes:

White (Greenish-white flowers (0.5") appear in spring with males in 3's and females solitary)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark green in summer); Yellow (Fall foliage usually yellow-green, but often showing purple)

Stem Notes:

Brown/Gray/Red (pubescent, slender, zig-zag)

Fruit Notes:

Orange (Edible fruit (0.75-2") is a plum-like berry that is green before ripening, and turning orange to black when ripe; persists into winter)

Ultimate Height:

35-60 feet

Ultimate Spread:

20-35 feet

Bloom Times:

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Dry to medium 50

Soil Notes:

Soil tolerant including pH, but prefers moist, well-drained soils

Range:

Connecticut to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas

Maintenance:

Low 278

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves (2.3-5.5" long by 0.8-2" wide) are alternate, simple, ovate to elliptical, rounded at base, and much paler beneath. Bark is very dark, broken up into square scaly thick plates, resembling charcoal briquettes, or maybe an alligator's back. Branches tend to slope downward.

Ecological Functions:

Purdue Extension Publications

Persimmon - HO-108

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

Most are usually dioecious and have a deep tap root which makes large plants difficult to transplant. Flowers attract bees while the fruit attracts birds and many mammals. The fruit is astringent when green, sweet and edible when ripe. Fruits, twigs, and leaves can be a littler problem.

Plant Photo Gallery

Fruit

Bark

Foliage

Leaf

Fall Color

Overall Habit

Bark

Buds

Winter Canopy

Winter Habit

Flowers and Foliage

Old Flowers and Foliage

When Diospyros virginiana has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

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Fruiting

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12 Diospyros virginiana found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2015_00333*A	FREH
2	ORIG_2725*A	GRIS
3	2015_00332*A	FREH
4	ORIG_8083*A	MRPK
5	2015_00362*A	FREH
6	2015_00363*A	FREH
7	ORIG_0534*A	WDC
8	ORIG_1477*A	AR	Heritage Plant
9	ORIG_0856*A	REC
10	2023_00252*B	HERL
11	2023_00315*A	PICK
12	2023_00315*B	PICK

Other plants like this Diospyros virginiana (Common Persimmon)

Diospyros virginiana 'Meader'
[Meader Persimmon]

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