^<:^' 



PERSIMMON {Diospyros virginiana L.) 



THE persimmon, often called "simmon," is well 

 known throughout its range. It is a small tree, 

 rarely exceeding 50 feet in height and 18 inches in 

 diameter, occurring throughout the State, except 

 in the high mountains. It seems to prefer dry, open 

 situations, and is most abundant in old fields, 

 though it occurs on rich bottomlands. The bark of 



old trees is almost 

 black and sepa- 

 rated into thick 

 nearly square 

 blocks, much like 

 the black gum. 



The leaves are 

 alternate, oval, 

 entire, 4 to 6 

 inches long, dark 

 green and shining 

 above, paler be- 

 neath. 



The small flow- 

 erS;, which appear 

 in May, are yel- 

 lowish or cream- 

 white, somewhat 

 bell-shaped, the 

 two kinds occur- 

 ring on separate 

 trees ; the male in 



clusters of 2 or 3, the female solitary. They are 



visited by many insects. 



The fruit is a pulpy, round, orange-colored or 

 brown berry, an inch or more in diameter and con- 

 taining several flattened, hard, smooth seeds. It is 

 strongly astringent while green, but often quite 

 sweet and delicious when thoroughly ripe. It is 

 much relished by children, and by dogs, 'possums 

 and other animals. 



The wood is hard, dense, heavy, strong, the heart- 

 wood brown or black, the wide sapwood white or yel- 

 lowish. It is particularly valued for shuttles, golf- 

 stick heads, and similar special uses, but is not ot 

 sufficient commercial use to warrant its general en- 

 couragement as a timber tree. 



PERSIMMON 



Leaf, one-half natural size. 



Twig, three-quarters natural size. 



73 



