American persimmon
The American persimmon is a deciduous fruit tree native to the eastern United States, ranging from New York to Florida and west to Texas. This tree thrives in temperate climates and is highly adaptable to various soil types, from dry uplands to moist river bottoms.
Its fruit, about the size of a golf ball, is very astringent until fully ripe, becoming exceptionally sweet and soft after the first frost. While Asian persimmons dominate commercial fresh fruit markets, American persimmons are valued for processing into baked goods, jams, and other products. Its hard wood is also used for specialty items like golf club heads.
Names
Scientific
Diospyros virginiana
English
American persimmon
Common persimmon
Eastern persimmon
Possumwood
Simmon
Dutch
Amerikaanse persimmon
Spanish
Caqui americano
Caqui de Virginia
French
Plaquemines de Virginie
German
Amerikanische Persimone
Taxonomy
Order
Ericales
Family
Ebenaceae
Genus
Diospyros
Species
Diospyros virginiana (American persimmon)
Crop categories
Fruits
Minor crops
Subtropical crops
Temperate crops