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Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana)

Diospyros texana, or Texas Persimmon, is a small, deciduous tree or large shrub native to Texas and Mexico. It features exfoliating bark, dark green leaves, and produces

Above information is sourced from Wikipedia

Sunlight

Requires full sun to partial shade for optimal growth and fruiting.

Watering

Drought-tolerant once established; moderate for young plants.

Soil

Well-drained, adaptable to various types, prefers alkaline to neutral.

Temperature

Highly adaptable, tolerating both cold winters and hot summers.

Habitat

Outdoor

Fertilizer

Generally not needed for established trees in good soil.

Care Requirements

Light

Requires full sun to partial shade for optimal growth and fruiting.

Water

Drought-tolerant once established; moderate for young plants.

Soil

Well-drained, adaptable to various types, prefers alkaline to neutral.

Temperature

Highly adaptable, tolerating both cold winters and hot summers.

Habitat

Outdoor

Fertilizer

Generally not needed for established trees in good soil.

Plant Overview

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Plant Category

Fruit, Ornamental

Plant Place Type

Ground, Garden

Plant Environment

Outdoor

Lifespan

Perennials

Plant Height

3-6 m

Spread

3-6 m

Growth Rate

Slow to Moderate

Dormancy

Winter

Leaf Color

Dark Green

Leaf Type

Simple

Flower Size

1 cm

Optimal Sunlight Lux

60000

Image Gallery

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.

Northern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · MayPeak fruit · Sep
FloweringFruiting
02468JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecActivity intensityMonths58
Southern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · SepPeak fruit · Apr
FloweringFruiting
02468JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecActivity intensityMonths58
Synonyms
Brayodendron texanum (Scheele) Small
Diospyros cuneifolia Hiern
Diospyros mexicana Scheele ex Hiern
Taxonomy
  • kingdomPlantae
  • divisionTracheophyta
  • classMagnoliopsida
  • orderEricales
  • familyEbenaceae
  • genusDiospyros
  • speciesDiospyros texana
Toxicity

Toxic for humans

No

Rating: 0/5

Toxic for pets

No

Rating: 0/5

Edible

Yes

The ripe fruit is edible and sweet. Unripe fruit is astringent. No other parts are commonly reported as toxic to humans or pets.

Additional Care Tips

Texas Persimmon is highly drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal supplemental watering. Young trees, however, benefit from regular, deep watering during their first year, especially in dry periods, to encourage a strong root system. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent root rot.

Pruning is typically done to shape the tree, remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and to maintain a desired size or form. It can be trained as a single-trunk tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. The best time for pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, allowing the plant to heal quickly. Avoid heavy pruning during the growing season.

Propagation is primarily achieved through seeds, which require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Collect ripe fruit, clean the seeds thoroughly, and store them in moist sand or peat in a refrigerator for several months before planting. Sow seeds in well-drained soil in spring. Cuttings are generally difficult to root successfully, making seed propagation the most reliable method for this species.

Texas Persimmon is typically grown in the ground as a landscape tree or shrub and is not commonly kept in pots long-term due to its size and root system. If started in a container, it will eventually need to be transplanted into the ground once it outgrows its pot. For temporary container growth, repotting into a larger container with fresh, well-draining soil may be necessary every 2-3 years to accommodate root growth.

FAQs

When does Texas Persimmon fruit ripen?

Texas Persimmon fruit typically ripens from July through September, turning from green to black and becoming soft and sweet when fully mature.

Is the Texas Persimmon fruit edible?

Yes, the ripe, black fruit of the Texas Persimmon is edible and has a sweet, plum-like flavor. Unripe fruit is highly astringent and should not be consumed.

What kind of soil does Texas Persimmon prefer?

Texas Persimmon is adaptable to a variety of soil types but thrives best in well-drained, alkaline to neutral soils. It tolerates rocky and sandy soils well.

How much sunlight does a Texas Persimmon tree need?

For optimal growth and fruit production, Texas Persimmon trees require full sun to partial shade, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Does Texas Persimmon require much water?

Once established, Texas Persimmon is highly drought-tolerant and needs very little supplemental water. Young trees, however, benefit from regular watering during their first year to help establish a strong root system.