Date Plum – Diospyros Lotus – in flower

As a comparison with previous blog article here we have some Date Plum (Diospyros Lotus) in flower. Whereas the Diospyros Kaki flowers were something like 20mm across. These flowers are only 4mm across. Much much smaller, which goes in proportion with the fruit size. These are in the same family called Persimmons.

Diospyros lotus is a deciduous tree growing to 9 m tall with a spread of 6m at a medium rate.

It is hardy to zone (UK) 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from Oct to November. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Insects, wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Fruits without seeds are produced parthenogenetically, that is without a male tree being present.

The fruit is very astringent and mouth numbing when green. The fruit has an exquisitely rich flavour when it is fully ripe. The fruits are relatively small at 20mm.