PersimmonPosted 10 years ago under Uncategorized

Persimmons are a slightly exotic and nutritious treat that have a number of health benefits. They have been traditionally used to ease digestive issues such as diarrhea or ulcers as well as hypertension. They can be used to fight cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as lower blood pressure and fight tumors. (1)

Taxonomy

Persimmons come from a number of species in the Genus Diospyros.

Kingdom (Plantae) –> Angiosperms –> Eudicots –> Asterids –> Order (Ericales) –> Family (Ebenaceae) –> Genus (Diospyros)

Description

Persimmons grow on trees that can range in height from 15 to 55 feet but usually are over 30 feet. The leaves are usually five to six inches long and bright green. Flowers can be a light yellow (female) or pink (male). The fruit is bright orange and sweet in flavor. (2)

Distribution

Persimmons originated in China but spread throughout Asia to Europe. Today, they grown in warm, temperate climates. The largest producers worldwide are Japan, China, Brazil, and the United States. (3) They can tolerate most kinds of soil and prefer a roughly neutral pH level. They can tolerate frosts during winter. (4)

Nutritional Information

Persimmons are a good source of a variety of nutrition including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is high is B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, copper, manganese, and phosphorus. They are high in antioxidants including catechins, gallocatechins, and betulinic acid. These give persimmons their anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic properties. Betulinic acid is thought to have anti-tumor properties. (5)

Commercial Cultivation

Of the two main varieties, the American persimmon is not self-pollinating while the Asian persimmon is self-pollinating. Though they can grow from seed, they are typically grown from graftings. (6) Persimmons are ripe for harvest from September through the end of December. (7) They take between three to six years to produce fruit. (8)

Diseases, Pests, Predators

Persimmons are susceptible to a number of diseases and pests. Common diseases include Armillaria root rot, different blights, root and crown rots, and heart rots. Common pests include scales, borers, caterpillars, beetles, mites, mealybugs, and nematodes. (9)

Sources

(1) http://www.naturalnews.com/041902_persimmons_superfruit_healthy_benefits.html
(2) http://www.botanical-online.com/english/persimmon.htm
(3) http://www.botanical-online.com/english/persimmon.htm
(4) http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/persimmon/growing-persimmon-trees.htm
(5) http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/persimmon-fruit.html
(6) http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/persimmon/growing-persimmon-trees.htm
(7) http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/how-to-plant-and-grow-persimmons
(8) http://homeguides.sfgate.com/old-persimmons-trees-begin-set-fruit-61521.html
(9) http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/persimmon.html