The Common Persimmon is a hearty, small-to-medium-sized deciduous tree of the Ebenacae (Ebony) family. This tree is abundant in southeastern states and frequently found with sassafras.

Most commonly known for its fleshy fruit that turns from green to orange when it ripens in the fall, the fruit is astringent when green, but sweet and edible when ripe. Common Persimmon fruit often hangs on trees far into the winter and is enjoyed by humans, foxes, racoons, opossums, skunks, and birds.

When mature, this tree's bark turns blackish gray and breaks up into square, scaly thick plates, resembling alligator skin. Its wood is used largely for golf club heads because the heartwood is so hard.

Images courtesy of:
Wildflower.org
University of Georgia
Ohio State University