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Big City, Big Trees
2. Native Flora Garden
Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
| Native Habitat: | Eastern U.S. |
Photo: Patricia T. Tomlinson.
Persimmon: The word itself sounds tart and exotic. But this species has been native to North America for 55 million years. Best consumed when very ripe, persimmon fruit has long been used in puddings and cakes, and Confederate soldiers boiled its seeds to make ersatz coffee. This tree is not just for foodstuffs: Billiard cues and golf clubs are crafted from its dark wood.
Notable Neighbors:
- 2A. Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- 2B. Black tupelo, sour gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- 2C. Common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
- 2D. English oak (Quercus robur)
- 2E. Dove tree, handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata)
- 2F. Carolina or Canadian poplar (Populus x canadensis)