{"slug":"diospyros-texana","scientific_name":"Diospyros texana","common_names":["Texas persimmon","Mexican persimmon","Black persimmon","Chapote"],"family":"Ebenaceae","type":"broadleaf_deciduous","mature_height_m":5,"mature_spread_m":3,"growth_rate":"slow","lifespan_years":null,"hardiness_zones":[7,10],"sun":"full_partial","water":"low","soil":"Shallow, rocky, well-drained limestone, caliche or clay; alkaline soils are ideal","native_range":"Central, south and west Texas into northeastern Mexico","description":"A slow-growing, usually multi-trunked small tree (12-20 feet) prized for its smooth, peeling silver-gray bark that looks like a crape myrtle's. Female trees bear small black persimmons in late summer that are sweet when fully soft and much loved by birds and mammals. Deciduous in Austin, nearly evergreen farther south. Perfect for tight, dry, sunny spaces.","care":"Plant in full sun on well-drained ground; water the first two summers, then almost never. It is usually pruned up to show off the trunks. Fruit from female trees stains pavement, so site accordingly or choose a male. No significant pests.","benefits":["drought_tolerant","wildlife","birds","edible","small_space"],"uses":["small_yard","screening"],"cautions":["messy_fruit"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Diospyros_texana.jpg","image_credit":"homeredwardprice, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons","sources":["https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/DITE3","https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DITE3","https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/persimmon-texas","https://www.treefolks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NeighborWoodsTreeMenu-2026.pdf"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/diospyros-texana","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/diospyros-texana.md","regions":[{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/DITE3"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Austin","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Persimmon, Texas'; very low water needs, fruit can be messy.","source_url":"https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/persimmon-texas"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Dallas","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List","source_url":"https://dallas.gov/departments/sustainabledevelopment/buildinginspection/DCH%20documents/pdf/BI_Approved%20Tree%20List.pdf"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}