tree
American persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Low riskEdible when ripecommon
Blocky bark, orange fruit that is inedible until soft-ripe or frosted.
Small tree with coal-black blocky bark like charcoal briquettes. Leaves simple and glossy. Fruit is an orange globe with a persistent four-lobed calyx.
- Habitat
- Old fields, open woods, fencerows.
- Season
- Fruit October–November.
- Size
- 20–50 ft
- Field marks
- Charcoal-block bark; orange fruit with cap
Use
Pudding, leather, bread. Unripe fruit is fiercely astringent. Trees are usually male or female — you need a female to fruit.