| Persimmon is a common and widespread medium-sized tree in North Carolina. The leaves are simple and often confused with those of Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica). If the leaves are glossy, turn red or have a few remote teeth, they're Blackgum, not Persimmon. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.
| 
| Leaves are paler beneath. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.
| 
| Petioles and stems are finely hairy. Pull off a leaf to check the number of bundle scars: 3 for Blackgum, 1 for Persimmon. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.
|
|
| 
| The flowers are small and bell-shaped. Orange Co., NC 5/19/04.
| 
| Flower detail. Orange Co., NC 5/19/04.
|
| Female flowers. Orange Co., NC 5/16/09.
| 
| Orange Co., NC 5/16/09.
| 
| Orange Co., NC 5/16/09.
| 
| Orange Co., NC 5/16/09.
|
| Orange Co., NC 5/18/08.
| 
| Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.
| 
| The branches of Persimmon and Blackgum are more different than the leaves. In Blackgum the main branches tend to be horizontal and the leaves are clustered on short spurs of smooth branches. In Persimmon the main branches are not horizontal, the leaves are more evenly spaced on longer side branches, small branches are hairy, and the buds are blackish. If you have trouble telling Persimmon apart from Blackgum, you can try cutting into the bark. The inner bark of Persimmon turns yellow within a minute. Thanks to Brantley Bowen, Park Ranger at Lumber River State Park, for this tip. Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.
|
| Fruits are edible and very tasty when fully ripe. The orange-colored flesh is sticky sweet when ripe, but very astringent if unripe. Scotland Co., NC 10/4/2009.
| 
| Scotland Co., NC 10/4/2009.
| 
| Scotland Co., NC 10/4/2009.
| 
| Scotland Co., NC 10/4/2009.
| 
| Unripe fruits. Alleghany Co., NC 9/13/09.
|
|
| 
| The distinctive bark is blackish and broken into square plates.
|
| Durham Co., NC 6/27/2009.
|
More information:
NC State Tree Fact Sheets
Silvics Manual
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
Virginia Tech Dendrology
USDA PLANTS
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
|
|