Native Trees of Kentucky 123 



EBONY FAMILY Ebeoaceae, 



This tropical family is represented in America by one genus, 

 Diospyrus, with one species : 



a. Persimmon Diospyrus virginiana. 



The Persimmon, or Date Plum, is found in most woodlands all 

 over the State. It is often called "Post>umwood." 



The heart wood of Persimmon is hard and black, but is 

 not formed until the tree reaches an advanced age. The wood is 

 used for interior finish and for piano frames, and is largely ex- 

 ported to Europe for this purpose. The less important uses are 

 shoe lasts, plane stocks and tool handles. 



The flowers are small, of /u'o kinds, staminate and pistillate, 

 borne on different trees; staminate in clusters, pistillate usually 

 solitary. 



Tree tall, slender, with full round head. 



Bark dark brown, broken into irregular ridges showing an 

 orange colored, inner layer. 



Leaves alternate, simple, pointed, thick and leathery. 



Fruit large, round, pulpy berries, edible when ripe. 



