92 



ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY CIRCULAR 51 



Persimmon 



The persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) (Fig. 85), with its 

 round-topped crown of spreading and somewhat drooping 

 branches, frequently grows to a height of 25-30 feet and it may- 

 reach a height of 40-50 feet, with a branch spread of 30-40 

 feet. It prefers light, sandy, well-drained soil but also thrives in 

 poor soil. It is native and widespread in the southern two-thirds 

 of the state, and in southern Illinois it spreads rapidly in aband- 

 oned fields. Persimmon is suitable for ornamental plantings and 

 has conspicuous, edible fruit and attractive orange to red foliage 

 in autumn. 



The firm, dark green, shiny, oblong, alternate leaves (Fig. 

 85 inset) are 4-6 inches long and 2-3 inches across. The male 

 and female fiowers are produced on separate trees and appear 

 when the leaves are about half grown. The male flowers are pro- 

 duced in groups of two or three on hairy stalks. The creamy- 

 white female flowers are produced singly at the ends of recurved 

 stalks. The round, pulpy, yellow to orange fruit, up to IV2 

 inches in diameter, contains several flattened, hard, smooth 





^Jxt. 



Fig. 85. — Persimmon 

 is noted for its round, 

 pulpy, edible fruit. Its 

 leaves (inset) are ob- 

 long, leathery, and 

 shinv. 



