In our wood garden we discovered for the very first time lots of fruits on a tree we have had for many years. It appears to be a Diospyros virginiana L or Eastern Persimmon. When ripe, the sweet fruit of Persimmon somewhat recalls the flavor of dates. Immature fruit contains tannin and is strongly astringent. Persimmons are consumed fresh and are used to make puddings, cakes, and beverages. American Indians made persimmon bread and stored the dried fruit like prunes. Opossums, raccoons, skunks, deer, and birds also feed upon the fruit. Principal uses of the wood are for golf-club heads, shuttles for textile weaving, and furniture veneer. The word persimmon is of Algonquian origin, while the genus name Diospyros, from the Greek, means fruit of the god Zeus. For more info just click on the hyperlink in the name above of Diospyros virginiana L.
October 13 shows perfect fruits and as we tasted them, they indeed somewhat recall the flavor of dates. They do have several stones so there is not that much fruit-flesh left to eat from. We leave them totally to the wildlife for snacking on.
This was on November 10. They kind of cling to the branches with no stem on the fruits. You see the leaves turning pretty yellow already.
This and the next images are from October 13 with still green leaves. Someone is also snacking on the leaves...
It will ask for some skill for getting those fruits off. We had a hard time doing so...
Maybe a raccoon or possum will get to them easily?
Providing Food & Shelter for our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT for which we earned our certificate: Our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT Certificate from August 1997
My dearest friend Mariette:
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that you just discovered you have lots of fruits from that three you have had for so many years!
As always this is very interesting to know.
Send you a big hug my friend, and thanks for your kind and sweet words you leave on my blog.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Lots of love, your friend
Laura =)
Dearest Mariette
ReplyDeleteI love the images - so mellow and ripe (a certain essence I love)- but have never heard of the fruit before. It's as if God designed it that way - that certain fruits are just there to be left for the animals, I truly love that idea. And how wonderful about the certificate you earned for your backyard wildlife. I bet your garden is quite magical.
Thanks so much for stopping by at God's Little People.
Much love
- and by the time you read this, may you have a pleasant Sunday.
From Joan
It is wonderful that you got the certificate. You do deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI must have been thrilling to discover the fruits on a long time companion tree. In India some people think of trees as their companions as they shelter us from rain and from hot hot sun.
The pictures are very refreshing. Thanks for sharing:)
What a wonderful surprise Mariette! You look like you are having such lovely weather. I am very jealous!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
Mariette, I love persimmons. They are starting to come into the stores up here now and every Thanksgiving they would be part of our fruit basket. They must be ripe or else they dry out the mouth!! I heard the trees can grow to 30 feet. xo
ReplyDeleteSo that's what they are. I looked them up and saw photos of what they look like when ripe. My husband buys them here and loves them. I forget what he calls them ... definitely not persimmons. I don't much care for them. Much nicer to think that they are left on the trees for wildlife to enjoy. Wishing you a great week. Tammy
ReplyDeleteLiebe Mariette ,diese Früchte kenne ich gar nicht .Kann mir den Geschmack nur schwer vorstellen .Sehen aber klasse aus .LG Ina
ReplyDelete