Home Prairie and Wetland Center
16245 S US Hwy 71
Belton, MO 64012
Tel: (816) 331-9738
Fax: (816) 331-9739

Diospyros virginiana

Persimmon

Click here for print friendly version.
Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon)

Commonly seen along fencerows, roadsides and field edges. These slow-growing trees produce small, attractive bell-shaped flowers in spring. In fall, the distinctive round, fleshy fruits stand out but are not ready to eat until after a hard frost. After frost, the mature fruits turn orange and taste similar to an apricot. Persimmon fruits are a valuable food source to wildlife including whitetail deer, raccoon, fox and many bird species. The trees form thickets and tend to sucker but can be kept in check through mowing.

Additional Information:


Height
35-60 Feet

spacer

Spread
20-35 Feet

spacer


USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9

Home Owner Growing and Maintenance Tips:

Good Companions
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), White Oak (Quercus alba), Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)

Characteristics & Attributes

Hydrologic Designation

FAC

Nature Attracting

Songbird

Season of Interest

Late (July-frost)

Soil Moisture

Moderate

Sun Exposure

Full Sun

USFS MO Ecological Map

Wildlife Benefit

Food/Birds
Nesting
Food/Small Animals