Diospyros lotus

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Close

Beautiful tree with smooth grey bark glossy dark green leaves that turn golden in the fall. Flowers are small and yellow-green, and are dioecious. At least both a male and female plant will be required to get viable seeds. Globose yellow fruit turns purple-brown when fully ripe. Like the persimmon, the date plum looses its astringency when fully ripe. The flesh is then very soft and rich in flavor. The name comes from the Greek Dios pyros meaning fruit of the gods, although, truth be told, the fruit is a little too sour for most people. Makes a nice jelly, though.

Similar plants:

• Diospyros blancoi, Diospyros discolor (Velvet Apple, Mabolo)
• Diospyros cauliflora (?) (Diospyros)
• Diospyros decandra (Gold Apple)
• Diospyros kaki (Kaki, Japanese Persimmon, Oriental Persimmon, Sharon Fruit)
• Diospyros maritima (Malaysian Persimmon, Sea Persimmon)
• Diospyros nigra, Diospyros digyna, Diospyros obtusifolia (Black Sapote, Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Black/Chocolate Persimmon)
• Diospyros sp. (Persimmon)
• Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon)