488 



DIOSMA 



DIOSPYROS 



ers in the same manner and for the same purpose as 

 Stevia is used, to give that necessary grace and artistic 

 eiJfect to the whole. This species, like most of the genus, 

 has an agreeable aromatic fragrance in the foliage. It 

 is a strong grower, loose and heath-like in habit and 



^l&I^^M/ ^^^ Native Persimmon— 



Diospyros Vlremiana. 



Nearly natural size. 



foliage, as the specific name indicates ; Howers white and 

 small , one or more on the points of tiny branchlets. While 

 Diosmas undoubtedly do best in soil suitable for heaths, 

 that is, soil composed largely of fibrous peat, they are not 

 nearly so exacting in their requirements in this respect, 

 and can be grown in good fibrous loam and leaf -mold in 

 equal parts, with considerable clean, sharp sand added 

 thereto. 



The plants should be cut back rather severely after 

 flowering to keep them low and bushy; this refers more 

 particularly to the above species, other members of the 

 genus Deing of more compact growth and needing 

 very little corrective cutting to keep them in shape. 

 Diosma ciipitata (now Arclouiniu capitata) is a fine ex- 

 ample of the latter class, and is a much better one than 

 D. ericohjcs for exhibition and show purposes; flowers 

 pinkish lilac, in corymbs of many flowers. The propa- 

 gation of Diosmas by cuttings is similar to that of 

 heaths, biit much easier with the same amount of care. 

 The best material for cuttings is young wood, when not 

 too soft or too hard. Kenneth Finlavson. 



The Diosma capitata referred to above was described 

 by Linnseus, but is now referred to A rdoninia capitata, 

 Brongn., which belongs in adifferent order) JSr««idceo') 



and even in a different subclass of the Dicotyledons. It 

 is a heath-like shrub 2-3 ft. high, with erect branches, 

 and somewhat whorled, mostly clustered branches: Ivs. 

 spirally arranged, stalkless, overlapping, linear, 3-angled, 

 roughish, with 2 grooves beneath: fls. crimson (accord- 

 ing to Flora Capensjs), crowded into oblong, spike-like, 

 terminal heads. Generic characters are calyx adhering 

 to the ovary, 5-cleft, segments large, overlapping: petals 

 with a long, 2-keeled claw, and 

 a spreading, roundish limb ; 

 stamens included : ovary half 

 inferior,3-celled, cells 2-ovu led. 

 style 3-angled, with 3 small, 

 papilla-like stigmas. This plant 

 is not advertised for sale in America. 



ericoides, Linn. Much-branched: branches 

 and twigs quite glabrous : Ivs. alternate, 

 crowded, recurved-spreading, oblong, obtuse, 

 keeled, pointless, glabrous : fls. terminal, 

 2-3 together, with very short pedicels; calyx 

 lobes ovate, obtuse: petals elliptic-oblong, ob- 

 tuse. B.M. 2332 under this name is in realty I), vul- 

 garis, var. longifolia. 



D. fragrans, Sims. = Adenandra fragraus. — D. vulgaris, 



Schlecht.. has narrower Ivs. than D. ericoides. and they are 



acute: branchlets minutely pubescent: Ivs. scattered, rarely 



opposite, linear, conves-oarinate. subulate-acuminate. There 



ked botanical varieties. -^^ j|_ 



DIOSP'i'ROS {Dios, Jove's, pyros, grain; alluding to 

 its edible fruit). Jibeiu'tceir. Persimmon. Ebony. 

 Trees or shrubs, with alternate, rarely opposite, entire 

 Ivs., deciduous or persistent, without stipules: fls. dire- 

 cious or polygamous infew orniany-fld., axillary cymes, 

 the pistillate often solitary, yellowish or whitish; calyx 

 and corolla 3-7-, usually 4-lobed ; stamens usually S-Hi, 

 included: fr. a large, juicy berry, 1-10-seeded, bearing 

 usually the enlarged calyx at the base; seed flat, rather 

 large. About ISO species in the tropics, few in colder 

 climates. The few cultivated species are ornamental 

 trees, with handsome, lustrous foliage, rarely attacked 

 by insects and with decorative and edible fr. The only 

 species which is tolerably hardy north isl). I'irgiviana, 

 while D. Kafci, much cultivated in Japan for its large, 

 edilile fruits, is hardy only in the southern states. 

 Most species have valuable hard and close-grained wocd, 

 and that of some tropical species is known as ebony. 

 They thrive in almost any soil, but require, in cooler 

 climates, sheltered and sunny positions. Prop, by seeds 

 and by cuttings of half-ripened wood or layers ; the 

 tropical species by cuttings of mature wood in spring, 

 with bottom heat; the fruit-bearing varieties are usually 

 grafted or budded on seedling stock of I). Virginiana. 

 See Persimmon. 



Virginiana, Linn. Common Persimmon. Fig, 716. 

 Tree, to 50 ft., rarely to 100 ft., with round-topped head 

 and spreading, often pendulous branches: Ivs. ovate or 

 elliptic, acuminate, shining above, glabrous at length or 

 pubescent beneath, 3-C in. long: fls. short-stalked, 

 greenish yellow, staminate in 3's, % in. long, with Hi 

 stamens; pistillate .solitary, larger, with 4 2-lobed styles, 

 connate at the base: fr. globose or obovate, plum-like, 

 with the enlarged calyx at the base, 1-1^2 in. in diam., 

 pale orange, often with red cheek, edible, varying in 

 size, color and flavor. June. Conn, to Fla., west to 

 Kans. andTex. S.S. 6:252, 2!j3. G.F. 8:265. Mn. 4:21. 



Ldtus, Linn. Round-headed tree, to 40 ft.: Ivs. ellip- 

 tic or oblong, acuminate, pubescent, often glabrous above 

 at length, 3-5 in. long: fls. reddish white, staminate in 

 3's, with IG stamens, pistillate solitary: fr. black when 

 ripe, globular, K-"4 in. in diam., edible. June. W.Asia 

 to China. A. G. 12:460. 



K4ki, Linn. f. Kaki. Fig. 717. Tree, to 40 ft., with 

 round head: Ivs. ovate-elliptic, oblong-ovate or obovate, 

 acuminate, subcoriaceous, glabrous and shining above, 

 sparingly hairy or glabrous beneath, 3-7 in. long : fls. 

 yellowish white, staminate with 16-24 stamens, pistil- 

 late to % in. long; styles divided to the base, pubescent: 

 fr. large, l%-3 in. across, very variable in shape and 

 size, mostly resembling a tomato. June. Jap., China. 

 R.H. 1870, pp. 412, 4J3 ; 1872, pp. 254,255 (as Z>. Box- 



