488 DIOSMA 



ers in the same manner and for the same purpose as 

 Stevia is used, to give that necessary grace and artistic 

 effect 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 



DIOSPYROS 



and even in a diffi-rent 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 Capensis), crowded into oblong, spike-like, 

 teniiiiial heads. Generic characters are calyx adhering 

 to til.; ovary, .'i-c-left. segments large, overlapping: petals 

 with a long, 2-keeled claw, and 

 spreading, roundish limb ; 

 mens included: ovary half 

 erior,,')-eelled, cells 2-ovuled : 

 style IJ-aiifiled, with 3 small, 

 papilla-like stigmas. This plant 

 not advertised for sale in America, 

 ericoides, Linn. Much-branched; branches 

 d twigs quite glabrous : Ivs. alternate, 

 owded, recurved-spreading, oblong, obtuse, 

 eleci, pointless, glabrous : fls. terminal, 

 2-3 to^'ether, with very short pedicels; calyx 

 lobes ovHte, obtuse; petals elliptic-oblong, ob- 

 se. B.M. 2:!:i2 under this name is in realty D. vul- 



I). iragrans, Sims. = Adenandra fragrans.— D. vulgaris, 



Sclilci-ht.. has narrower Its. than D. ericoides, and they are 



acute: branchlets minutely pubescent: Ivs. scattered, rarely 



opposite, linear, convex-carinate, subulate-acuminate. There 



W. M. 



rked botanical 



Native Persimmon— 



Diospyros Vireinian 



foliage, as the specific name indicates ; flowers 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 V'laiits should be cut back rather severely after 

 tVi.\ . riii;' tM k.'.p them lowand bushy; this refers more 

 I':nth 111:,, ly t,. tlio above species, otlier members of the 

 {,'. i,o, I., Ill- of more compact growth and needing 

 very 'il'le lontctive cutting to keep them in shape. 

 Diosmtt ntpilata (now Ardouinia capitata) is a fine ex- 

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

 D. ericoidiR 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, but much easier with the same amount of care. 

 The best material for cuttings is young wood, when not 

 too soft or too hard. Kenneth Finlatson. 



The Diosma capitala referred to above was described 

 by Linnffius, but is now referred to Ardouinin capitata, 

 Brongn., which belongs in a different order(iJri()iidffn') 



DIOSPt'BOS {Dios, Jove's, pyros, grain; alluding to 

 i edible fruit). £bendce(e. Persimmon. Ebony. 

 •ees or shrubs, with alternate, rarely opposite, entire 

 ' ■' persistent, without stipules: fls. dioe- 



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

 the pistillate often solitary, yellowish or whitish; calyx 

 and corolla 3-7-, usually 4-lobed ; stamens usually 8-16, 

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

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

 large. About 1«0 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 iaD. \'h-giniana, 

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

 edil>le fruits, is hardy only in the southern states. 

 Most species have valuable hard and close-grained wood, 

 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 



with bottom heat; the fruit-bearing varieties are usually 

 grafted or budded on seedling stock of V. Virginianu. 

 Si-e Persimmon. 



Virginiina, Linn. Common Persimmon. Fig. 71C. 

 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, 3-6 in. long : fls. short-stalked, 

 greenish yellow, staminate in 3's, J^in. long, with 16 

 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, l-l^in. in diam., 

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

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

 Kans. andTex. 8.8.6:252,2,53. G.F. 8:265. Mn. 4:21. 



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

 tic oroblong. acuminate, pubescent, often glabrous above 

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

 3'9, with 16 stamens, pistillate solitary: fr. black when 

 ripe, globular, y.-% in. in diam., edible. June. W. Asia 

 to China. A.G. 12:460. 



K4ki, Linn. f. Kak:. 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 ?4 in. long ; styles divided to the base, pubescent : 

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

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

 R.H. 1870, pp. 412, 413 ; 1872, pp. 254, 255 (as J). Sox- 



