PERSIMMON. 



69 



It occurs commonly in old fields from southern Connecticut to 

 southern Ohio and southeastern Iowa, south to Bay Biscayne, 

 Florida, southern Alabama and Mississippi, and west to southern 

 Missouri^ Arkansas, eastern Kansas and Indian Territory, and 

 the valley of the Colorado river, Texas ; and reaches its best 

 development in the lower Ohio basin. 



In this State, where it reaches an average height of 30 to 40 

 feet and an average diameter of 18 to 20 inches, it is found 

 throughout, except in Ashe, Watauga, Mitchell, and Yancey 

 counties and in the higher mountains. (Fig. 11.) 



MAP OF 



NORTH CAKOLINA 



LEGEND 



Distribution of the PERSIMMON 



(Diospyros virginiana, L.) 



Fertile trees bear fruit in abundance annually or every second 

 year. Seedlings are common near the old trees in damp soil, and 

 in old fields when protected from fire. Young plants are short- 

 lived in deep shade. 



The rather thick smooth shining leaves are oval, dark green 

 above, pale and often downy below. The yellowish flowers are 

 small and inconspicuous, the male and female usually produced 

 on separate trees. The edible fruit is rounded, about one inch in 

 diameter, and orange-red when ripe. The winter-buds are small, 

 egg-shaped and pointed. The persimmon has thick fleshy black 

 stoloniferous roots ; it has a taproot as well as numerous long 

 lateral roots. 



The wood is heavy, hard, strong, very close-grained, compact ; 

 the heart wood, seen only in very old specimens, dark brown to 

 nearly black in color ; the thick sapwood lighter brown with dark 

 spots. It takes a good polish, and is used for shoe-lasts, plane 



