Diospyros texana
Diospyros texana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Ebenaceae |
Genus: | Diospyros |
Species: | D. texana
|
Binomial name | |
Diospyros texana | |
Natural range |
Diospyros texana is a species of
Description
Diospyros texana is a multi-trunked small tree or large shrub[2] with a lifespan of 30 to 50 years.[4] It usually grows to 3 m (9.8 ft) in height, but can reach 12 m (39 ft) on good sites.[5] The bark is smooth and light reddish gray[6] and peels away from mature trees to reveal shades of pink, white, and gray on the trunk.[7]
Leaves
The
Flowers
Diospyros texana is
Fruit
The fruits of D. texana are black, subglobose berries with a diameter of 1.5–2.5 cm (0.59–0.98 in) that ripen in August.[6] Berries contain three to eight[9] light red, triangular seeds around 0.8 cm (0.31 in) in length.[6]
Habitat
Texas persimmon can be found at elevations from sea level to 1,800 m (5,900 ft).[6] It inhabits the Edwards Plateau[5] the Chihuahuan Desert,[2] the southern third of the Western Gulf coastal grasslands,[10] the Tamaulipan mezquital,[11] and the Tamaulipan matorral.[12][13] Throughout its range, D. texana favors riparian zones,[5] prairie margins, and rocky slopes.[6] It prefers well-drained, alkaline soils.[14]
Uses
The sapwood of Texas persimmon is clear yellow, while the heartwood, found only in very large trees, is black (ebony), like that of the related D. ebenum.[8] The heartwood is hard and dense and takes a high polish. It is used to make engraving blocks, artwork, and tools.[5] The fleshy berries are edible and sweet when ripe[8] and are used in puddings and custards; they are also relished by many species of birds and mammals. However, they are astringent when unripe.[15]
They were traditionally used by Native Americans to make a black dye for animal hides and are still used for this purpose in Mexico.[5] The small size, peeling bark, intricate branching, and drought tolerance of D. texana make it useful as an ornamental.[7]
Ecology
Diospyros texana is a
References
- ^ a b "Diospyros texana". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ a b c "Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana)". Chihuahuan Desert Plants. University of Texas at El Paso. 2006-04-17. Archived from the original on 2009-02-16. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- JSTOR 451954.
- ^ Valley Proud Environmental Council (2003-11-19). "Tree Guide for the Rio Grande Valley of Texas" (PDF). Brownsville Public Utilities Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Carey, Jennifer H. (1994). "Diospyros texana". Fire Effects Information System. United States Forest Service. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Diospyros texana Scheele". Flora of North America. eFloras.org. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ a b "Texas Persimmon, Mexican Persimmon, Black Persimmon, Chapote". Benny Simpson's Texas Native Trees. Texas A&M University. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ a b c d "Diospyros texana Scheele". Native Plant Information Network. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
- ^ "Texas Persimmon Diospyros texana". Field Guides. eNature. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ "Western Gulf Coastal grasslands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ NatureServe (2003). "Tamaulipan Thornscrub Ecoregion" (PDF). International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2009-11-25.
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(help) - ^ Hathcock, Chris (October 2008). "Uses of Native Plants Found at Parras de la Fuente" (PDF). The Sabal. 25 (7). Native Plant Project.
- ISBN 978-9977-57-301-4.
- ^ University of Texas: Diospyros texana
- ISBN 0-394-50760-6.
External links
- "Diospyros texana" (PDF). Digital Representations of Tree Species Range Maps from "Atlas of United States Trees" by Elbert L. Little, Jr. (and other publications). United States Geological Survey.