 |
|
|
|
|
|||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
| Persimmon Diospyros virginiana Ebenaceae – Ebony Family Common names: Date Plum, Plaqueminer, Possumwood, Seeded Plum, Winter Plum Diospyros virginiana is the American persimmon. The term Diospyros is derived from Greek and means “fruit of the Gods.” Thankfully, mankind also enjoys the yearly harvest. Native Americans introduced the British to persimmons during Sir Walter Raleigh’s voyages to the New World between 1584 and 1590. In the early 17th century, Jamestown colonial leader, Captain John Smith, described a persimmon as follows: “If it not be ripe it will draw a man’s mouth awire with much torment. But when it is ripe, it is as delicious as an apricot.” Persimmons are delicious eaten fresh off the tree. Persimmon pulp may be frozen and used throughout the year in cookies, muffins, marmalades, and puddings. Persimmon Cookies
|