State Board of Forestry. 329 



quality and shape and in the number of the seeds. From the fact 

 that it is the favorite food of the opossum it is frequently called 

 the ''possum" fruit. 



Distribution. Southern Connecticut west to southeastern Iowa 

 and eastern Kansas, south to the Gulf. In Indiana it is confined 

 principally to the southern part of the State, and is rarely found 

 north of Indianapolis. Prof. Stanley Coulter reports three large 

 trees growing in Tippecanoe County in situations such as to indicate 

 that they are native. It is usually a small, sometimes a medium 

 sized tree, 8-15 m. (25-50 feet) high. Generally found in dry soil 

 in woods, fields and along fences. Frequently in the southern part 

 of the State waste and old worn out fields become thickly covered 

 with persimmon sprouts and in cultivated fields it is often a task 

 for the farmer to subdue the persimmon and sassafras sprouts. In 

 Posey County it is found on both high and low situations. In the 

 Wabash bottoms it is found on the borders of swamps and one spec- 

 imen was noted growing with Cephalanthus and Saururus, which 

 was 2.5 dm. (10 inches) in diameter. 



The pubHshed records of the distribution are as follows: Clark 

 (Baird and Taylor) and (Smith) ; Floyd (Clapp) ; Franklin (Meyncke) ; 

 Gibson (Schneck); Jefferson (Coulter) and (Young); Knox (Ridg- 

 way) and (Thomas); Marion (Douglas); Miami (Gorby); Monroe 

 (Blatchley) ; vicinity of New Albany (Clapp) ; Orange (Troop) ; 

 Posey (Schneck); Tippecanoe (Coulter); Vigo (Blatchley). 



Additional records are: Posey (Wright); Putnam (Grimes); 

 Clark, Dubois, Knox, Posey (Deam). 



Economic uses. Wood heavy, hard, strong, fine-grained, takes 

 a high polish; sap wood light brown, heart wood dark brown 

 to nearly black in very old trees. The supply is so limited in this 

 State as to be of no economic importance. 



Horticultural value. While the tree is interesting and the flow- 

 ers and foliage attractive, it can scarcely be recommended for orna- 

 mental planting on account of its slow growth. It is hardy in all 

 parts of the State and since the fruit is relished by many people, 

 the planting at least of horticultural varieties should be encour- 

 aged. 



OLEACE.^. The Olive Family. 



Leaves compound; fruit dry, a samara 1 Fraxinus. 



Leaves simple; fruit fleshy, a drupe 2 Forestiera. 



