tro 



G. p. W. Colhction. Plate LXXXIII 



Diospyros dccandra. 



BROWN PERSIMMON. 



This is an evergreen tree rarely found in Hawaii. It has alter- 

 nate, irregular, long, narrow leaves, shiny dark-green on the upper 

 side, a velvety light-green on the underside, and has a long 

 petiole. The branches are brittle, light-green, smooth and shiny 

 when young, and after the leaves shed become wood)' and inclined 

 to dry back. 



The trunk and bark of the tree is covered with warty excres- 

 ences. The solitary flowers are four-petaled. The edible fruit 

 ripens in December, is round, depressed, about 2^/^ inches in 

 diameter, in color light-green dotted with numerous white spots. 



When quite ripe the thin skin turns to a shiny-l)rown. The soft 

 chocolate colored pulp is sweet and contains from 1 to 8 large flat 

 seeds. 



