Is this diospyros virginiana? Please help identify

Most seem to have at least some reddish color in the newest leaves. The differences are probably due to the vigor of the plant and how quickly new leaves are growing. I’ve noticed that the native persimmon trees here in NC look like your pictures with glossy new leaves, but that the root suckers of some of my grafted persimmon trees have more fuzz on the new leaves. Lee Reich wrote that this was a distinguishing feature between the 90 chromosome northern type (fuzzy new leaves) and the 60 chromosome southern type (glossy new leaves). But others with more persimmon experience than I have contested this and say there’s no way to visually distinguish between the two types. My point is not to agree with either side but just to say that I’ve seen some variety in the appearance of new persimmon leaves.

2 Likes