common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Family: Ebenaceae
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| Form:
Small to medium sized tree 30 – 50 ft. in height and 1 ft dbh. Rounded crown with branches spreading at right angles. |
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Leaves: [if 789 not_equals=””] Shape: ovate-oblong or oval[/if 100] Margin: entire Texture: glabrous Variation: parallel |
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| Bark:
The bark is nearly black and broken into squarish blocks. |
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| Twigs and Buds:
The bud is black and triangular. It has one bundle scar within the leaf scar. |
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| Flowers and Fruit:
The plum-like fruit that is green when unripe and orange to black when ripe. |
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| Distinguishing Characteristics:
Look for the black bud (remember- family = Ebenaceae, ebony = black). Also look for the plum-like fruit, alternate leaves, and the rough black bark. |
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| Range:
Southern Connecticut south to Florida west to eastern Oklahoma. |
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| Silvics:
It is shade intolerant and grows on both moist bottoms and dry uplands. |
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| Ecological and Cultural Importance:
Wood used for veneer, golf club heads, and low grade lumber. Fruit is food for squirrel, quail, and opossum. |
