Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

Categories: Edible Plants | Bird Habitat | Drought Tolerant | Dry Site | Erosion Control |Floodplain Site | Medium-Sized Trees | Mesic Site | Moist Site | Pollination | Shaded Site | Understory Tree | Urban Site | Wildlife

Common Persimmon is a unique native tree valued for its sweet edible fruit, exceptional wildlife benefits, and adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. This medium-sized tree develops a rounded canopy and typically reaches 35–60 feet tall with a spread of 25–35 feet.

In spring, Common Persimmon produces small, fragrant flowers that attract native pollinators. By fall, female trees develop orange fruits that ripen after frost, becoming soft and sweet with a flavor often compared to apricots and honey. The fruit is rich in Vitamins A and C and can be enjoyed fresh or used in baked goods, preserves, and desserts.

Persimmon is a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate trees. Planting multiple trees improves pollination and increases fruit production.

Beyond its edible fruit, Common Persimmon is one of the best native trees for wildlife. The fruit provides an important late-season food source for birds, deer, foxes, raccoons, and other wildlife, while the flowers support pollinators throughout the growing season.

Adaptable and resilient, Common Persimmon tolerates drought, urban conditions, partial shade, floodplain soils, and a wide range of site conditions, making it a versatile addition to both naturalized and residential landscapes.

NATIVE RANGE

Map courtesy of USDA-NRCS Plants Database.