Ebenaceae
American persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Synonyms
Diospyros mosieri
Other Common Names
common persimmon, possum apples, possumwood, eastern persimmon
Plant Type
Large Tree (greater than 25 ft)
Life Cycle
Perennial
Typical Size
30-80 ft. tall
20-35 ft. wide
Tolerant of
Drought
Inolerant of
Poorly Drained Soil
Propagation
By seed, By cutting
Plant Propagation Notes
Cold moist stratify seed for 30-60 days. Plants grow slowly from seed and may not produce fruit for 4-9 years.
Plant Planting Notes
Does not transplant well due to deep taproot.
Plants/Diseases
Leaf spot is common, but does not effect the overall health of the tree.
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Fruit/seeds for birds
Leaves
Leaves alternate, elliptical, oblong, or ovate with entire to serrate margins.
Flowers
White to greenish bell-shaped flowers.
Fruit
Globular orange to red berry.
Bark
Young stems zig-zag. Older trunks are dark gray and deeply furrowed with square plates.
Toxicity
No known toxicity.
Edibility
Fruit is edible once soft.

USDA Hardiness Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Exposure
Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Moisture
Medium, Moist
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0), Basic (greater than 8.0)
Native in South Carolina?
Yes
Plant Native Habitat
Various dry habitats including forests and woodlands along with longleaf pine sandhills. May also be found in disturbed places such as fencerows and roadsides. Sometimes found in floodplain forests.
Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)
Secure (G5)
Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)
Not Listed
Distribution Notes
Common throughout South Carolina.