Diospyros texana
Texas persimmon
Central/southern Texas and northeastern Mexico
Overview
Diospyros texana is a slow-growing large shrub or small tree in the ebony family, usually 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) tall, occasionally to 35 feet (10.7 m), with a dense, rounded crown. A recognized feature is the smooth, thin bark that flakes away in gray, white, and pinkish patches over the multiple trunks. The small, leathery leaves are 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, dark green above and hairy below, and stay on the plant into winter in mild areas. The species is dioecious; small, urn-shaped greenish-white flowers open in spring on separate male and female plants. Female plants bear round black fruit about 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across that ripen in late summer, sweet and edible when soft. Native to central and southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, it grows on rocky hills, canyons, and brushland, and tolerates heat, drought, and shallow alkaline soils. The hard, dark wood has been used for tools and engraving. Growth is slow and the plant is long-lived.
Native Range
Native to central and southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It grows on limestone hills, rocky canyons, dry slopes, and brushland, often on shallow alkaline soils.Suggested Uses
Diospyros texana is grown as a small specimen or patio tree, a screen, or a xeriscape shrub in hot, dry regions, and is kept for its bark and wildlife fruit. The fruit feeds birds and mammals, and the flowers draw bees.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 35'
Width/Spread8' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
Small urn-shaped greenish-white flowers open in spring, usually March to May, on separate male and female plants. They are easy to overlook but draw bees. On female plants, fruit follows and ripens to black in late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Diospyros texana grows in full sun to part shade in well-drained rocky, sandy, or alkaline soils, and tolerates heat, drought, and poor ground. It needs little water once established and grows slowly. A female plant needs a male nearby to set fruit. It can be trained as a single- or multi-trunked tree by removing lower limbs to show the bark. Pests and diseases are few.Pruning
Pruning is done in late winter to lift the canopy and reveal the bark, or to shape a multi-trunked form. The plant tolerates removal of lower branches and suckers. Little routine pruning is otherwise needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons