American persimmon

plant and fruit

Also known as: Diospyros virginiana, common persimmon

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Last updated

June 23, 2026

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The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a small tree native to North America, growing from the Gulf states up to Pennsylvania and Illinois. Its fruit is typically 1.2 to 2 inches in diameter, flattened, and dark red to maroon, often containing several seeds. The fruit is considered more flavorful when soft and is gathered from the wild, with some superior varieties being commercially grown.1

Persimmons, in general, are edible fruits from trees of the genus Diospyros. They are eaten fresh, stewed, or made into jam. The Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is widely cultivated, especially in China and Japan, and is also grown commercially in parts of the United States. Its fruit is larger, yellow to red, and resembles a tomato, containing vitamins A and C. While some varieties are not astringent until soft, others are highly astringent when unripe.1

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Diospyros
Major species
…species are the common, or American, persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), native to North America, and the Japanese, or kaki, persimmon (D. kaki), native to China but widely cultivated in other temperate regions. The globular orange fruit of the common persimmon is about 4 cm (1.5 inches) in diameter. The tree grows…
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…species are the common, or American, persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), native to North America, and the Japanese, or kaki, persimmon (D. kaki), native to China but widely cultivated in other temperate regions. The globular orange fruit of the common persimmon is about 4 cm (1.5 inches) in diameter. The tree grows…
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