Does a Persimmon Shrub Have Thorns?
Persimmons (Diospyros spp) are attractive trees or shrubs that produce edible fruit. The sweet, nutritious fruit is astringent until fully ripened. American persimmons, or Diospyros virginiana, are native to the U.S. and grow wild. Oriental persimmons (D. kaki) have higher quality fruit, so they are the species most often cultivated in home gardens. Persimmon shrubs do not have thorns, but they may be confused with other plants that do have thorns. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Shrubs
-
Persimmons vary widely in size, depending on the species and cultivar. Some American persimmons are towering trees that can reach upwards of 50 feet in height. They grow very slowly, however. Oriental persimmons can reach a maximum height of 30 feet. Many cultivars, such as Eureka, grow on multiple stems rather than one trunk. These are the ones that look most like shrubs. The large number of twigs in such cultivars may look like thorns from a distance, especially in the fall after the leaves drop but when the fruit is still clinging to the branches.
Bark
-
The bark of a persimmon tree or shrub is easily identifiable. The pattern is distinctive, with deep furrows creating square "blocks" on the trunks and stems of the persimmon plants. This is due to the plant's slow growth pattern. The deep furrows may feel somewhat sharp to the touch, much like thorns.
-
Fruit
-
American persimmon trees produce much smaller fruit than Oriental persimmon trees. Each persimmon can be as small as 1/2 inch in diameter, depending on the cultivar. Other than size, the appearance of the fruit is very similar. Persimmons have a large crown on which the fruit attaches to the stem. The crown is edged in points, which may look somewhat like thorns from a distance.
Leaves
-
Persimmon shrubs and trees have leaves that are broad at the base but come to a point at the tip. Although the leaves are pointed, they are not sharp to the touch like thorns. The plants are distinctive in that the leaves turn colors and drop in the fall before the fruits are ripe, which makes the trees quite attractive in the autumn.
-
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
