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date plum
Scientific Name: Diospyros lotus
Family: Ebenaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Date-Plum (Diospyros lotus)
The Diospyros lotus, known by the common names date-plum, Caucasian persimmon, or lilac persimmon, is a widely cultivated tree celebrated for its edible fruit and historical significance.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Diospyros lotus
- Common Names: Date-plum, Caucasian persimmon, Lilac persimmon
- Family: Ebenaceae
- Synonyms: Diospyros japonica is mentioned as a synonym
Distribution and Habitat
The date-plum is native to southern Asia and southeast Europe. It is also found in mixed mountain forests up to 1500 meters in China. It is commercially cultivated in the U.S. and Northern Africa.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
The date-plum is described as a deciduous tree. It bears yellow-black fruits about the size of a walnut, which are said to have an excellent flavor when over-ripe. The fruit turns yellow when ripening and has juicy flesh.
Historical Significance
The date-plum has a rich history of ethnobotanical use and is considered one of the oldest plants in cultivation. The ancient Greeks knew it as the "fruit of the gods."
Quirky Facts
- The date-plum is so called because its taste is said to resemble a cross between a date and a plum, although it's not related to either.
- The Plants for a Future Database gives the date-plum the highest edibility rating (5).
Interactions with Other Organisms
- It is used as a major rootstock for other Diospyros species.
- There is ongoing research to develop insect and fungi resistance, as well as cold and drought tolerance, using gene technology.
Further Information
- Plants for a Future Database
- Dave's Garden
- Wikimedia Commons