The plant prefers a climate with moderate temperatures and does well in regions with a range of altitudes. It can tolerate frost and is adaptable to a variety of soil types.
The common name for Diospyros kaki is "Persimmon."
The persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is a deciduous tree that produces orange fruits, slightly larger than a tomato. The fruit must be fully ripe before eating, as the unripe fruit is very astringent. It is a versatile plant, serving as both an attractive ornamental tree and a fruit producer, with nutritional composition per 100 grams including 78.6% water, 19.7 grams of carbohydrates, and 0.4 grams of fat.
Diospyros kaki
Country of origin: China
One interesting fact about Persimmon is that it is known for its high content of dietary fiber, which helps promote a healthy digestive system. Additionally, Persimmon is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin A and vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and protect the body against oxidative stress. Another notable characteristic of Persimmon is its versatility in culinary applications. Apart from being eaten fresh or dried, Persimmon can be used to make jams, jellies, and even incorporated into various baked goods and desserts. It is worth mentioning that Persimmon trees require a certain amount of chilling hours during the winter to ensure proper fruit development. The chilling hours refer to the cumulative number of hours the tree experiences temperatures between 32°F (0°C) and 45°F (7°C). Without sufficient chilling hours, Persimmon trees may have reduced fruit production or delayed ripening. Furthermore, Persimmon is known for its ornamental value, particularly during the autumn season when its foliage undergoes a stunning transformation, displaying vibrant and eye-catching colors. Overall, Persimmon is a delightful fruit-bearing tree that not only adds beauty to landscapes but also provides nutritious and delicious fruits with a unique flavor profile.
Persimmons prefer a medium loam soil, but will grow well in most ordinary soils as long as they are kept moist. It does not thrive in dry or acid soils, but will withstand a certain amount of waterlogging.
Family: EBENACEAE
Other common names are Chinese persimmon and kakee. A deciduous, round - headed tree growing to a height of 5 m. It has strikingly coloured autumn foliage, making it an attractive ornamental tree as well as a fruit producer. Persimmons prefer a medium loam soil, but will grow well in most ordinary soils as long as they are kept moist. It does not thrive in dry or acid soils, but will withstand a certain amount of waterlogging. The mature plant is frost hardy to -10oC.
The fruit is orange in colour, slightly larger than a tomato, and has to be fully ripe before being eaten. The unripe fruit is very astringent and contains tannic acid. It can be eaten either fresh or dried, or can be made into jams or jellies. There are different cultivars available, some being astringent varieties, others being non - astringent. Persimmons begin to bear fruit when about 3 years old (grafted trees or trees grown from cuttings).
Nutritional composition of persimmon per 100 grams of edible portion is: Water - 78.6%, Energy -77 calories, Carbohydrate - 19.7 g, Fat - 0.4 g, Protein - 0.7 g, Ash - 0.6 g, Calcium - 6 mg, Potas-sium - 174 mg, Sodium - 6 mg, Magnesium - 8 mg, Iron - 0.3 mg, Phosphorous - 26 mg, Vitamin A - 2710 I.U., Thiamin - 0.03 mg, Riboflavin - 0.02 mg, Niacin - 0.1 mg, Ascorbic acid - 11 mgs and the digestion time is 3.75 hours.
They are propagated from seed, by grafting or from cuttings. Seedling trees grow tall, and make good shade trees. The seedlings however, tend to be variable and often do not grow true to type.
Persimmons need plenty of water during the growing season, and benefit from mulching, as this helps to keep the roots moist. Minimum spacing between plants is 5 m. They are dioecious, requir-ing male and female plants, although in some cases, male and female flowers are found on the same tree. The female flowers will produce fruit if not pollinated, but these will be seedless and will take longer to ripen. Under some conditions, fruiting will be biennial.
Other species of persimmons available are Diospyros virginiana, (American persimmon) and Diospyros lotus (date plum). The fruits of the American persimmon are smaller, usually yellow, but can also be dark red or purple - red. The date plum fruits are smaller still (1 - 2 cm), and purple - black when ripe. Diospyros dignya (black sapote or chocolate pudding fruit), is an evergreen native of Central America, having a very sweet fruit with chocolate brown flesh.
Nutritional composition of the American persimmon per 100 grams of edible portion is: Water -64.4%, Energy - 127 calories, Carbohydrate - 33.5 g, Fat - 0.4 g, Protein - 0.8 g, Ash - 0.9 g, Calcium - 27 mg, Potassium - 310 mg, Sodium - 1 mg, Iron - 2.5 mg, Phosphorous - 26 mg, Ascorbic acid - 66 mgs and the digestion time is 3.75 hours.