Species PlantsAmerican Persimmon

American Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

CommonPlant
Illustration of American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

The American Persimmon is a native fruit tree with deeply furrowed, blocky bark and glossy leaves that turn bright orange-red in autumn. Its orange fruit, about the size of a plum, is astringent until fully ripe after frost — then sweet and custard-like. Opossums, foxes, raccoons, and deer eagerly seek out the fallen fruit in late autumn.

Habitat
Old fields, roadsides, forest edges, and dry upland woods of eastern North America
Diet
Fruit eaten by opossums, raccoons, foxes, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys
How common
Common

Best time to see a American Persimmon

The best time to see a American Persimmon is May–September, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 39,067 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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