488 



DIOSMA 



DIOSPYROS 



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 



716. Native Persimmon 



Diospyros Virginiana. 

 Nearly natural size. 



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 Boil 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 being of more compact growth and needing 

 very little corrective cutting to keep them in shape. 

 Diosma capitata (now Ardouinia capitata) is a fine ex-' 

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

 D. ericoides 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 FINLAYSON. 



The Diosma capitata referred to above was described 

 by Linnaeus, but is now referred to Ardouinia capitata, 

 Brongn., which belongs in a different order (Bruniacece) 



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 Capensis), crowded into oblong, spike-litfe, 

 terminal heads. Generic characters are calyx adhering 

 totheovary, 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-ovuled ; 

 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 D. vul- 

 garis, var. longifolia. 



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

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

 acute: branchlets minutely pubescent: Ivs. scattered, rarely 

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

 are 5 well-marked botanical varieties. -^y ]yj 



DlOSPtHOS (Dios, Jove's, pyros, grain; alluding to 

 its edible fruit). Ebenacece. PEKSIMMON. EBONY. 

 Trees or shrubs, with alternate, rarely opposite, entire 

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

 cious or polygamous in few ormany-fld., axillary cymes, 

 the pistillate often solitary, yellowish or whitish; calyx 

 and corolla 3-7-, ustially 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 180 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 isD. Virginiana, 

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

 edible 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 ctittings 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 D. 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, 3-6 in. long : fls. short-stalked, 

 greenish yellow, staminate in 3's, % 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, 1-1% in. in diam., 

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

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

 Kans. and Tex. 8.8.6:252,253. 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 16 stamens, pistillate solitary: fr. black when 

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

 to China. A.G. 12:460. 



Kaki, 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, 1K-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 D. Sox- 



