January 18, 2011

American Persimmons

A friend just brought me some American Persimmons from his father's orchard. They were soft and ripe and there's nothing as delicious as persimmon when fully ripe. The genus name is diospryros which means "fruit of the gods". Native Americans prized the fruit for it's flavor and sweetness and they are a popular food for wild turkey, mockingbirds, deer, raccoons, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, and other wildlife. They can be made into pudding, preserves, beer, and brandy, and can also be dried for winter eating.

At Thanksgiving we always had a persimmon pudding with whipped cream which was our traditional dessert. Delicious! The fruits I just got I ate fresh, biting off the end skin and sucking the pulpy insides out. So now I'm thinking of trying on in the yard in one of the new holes. In addition to its fruit, the tree can make an attractive mid-size yard tree. The large drooping leaves give it a soft look, and the dark checkered bark of mature trees provides winter interest. The flowers are an appealing creamy-yellow, very fragrant, and an excellent nectar source for honeybees.

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At American Persimmon Tree! 18 to 24 Inches Tall!