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Native Plant Society of Texas

Texas Persimmon

Diospyros texana

Other common name(s):

Mexican Persimmon, Black Persimmon, Chapote, Chapote Prieto

Family:

Ebenaceae (Ebony Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

8
to
20
ft.

Spread

4
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Shallow, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Slow growing. Drought tolerant. Long-lived. Refrain from pruning late in winter as blooms form on old wood in spring. Native habitat: rocky, open woodlands, slopes, and arroyos. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms February-April. A multi-trunked tree, with smooth, gray bark. It is evergreen to deciduous depending on growing conditions. Leaves are small and oval, with upper surfaces glossy while lower surfaces are covered in fine hairs. The edges are slightly rolled downward on the sides. Flowers are urn shaped, with male and female flowers occurring on separate trees. The fruit is a dark blue berry, with triangular seeds, produced on female trees. Larval host: Gray Hairstreak.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 288. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DITE3. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Diospyros+texana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=9557&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=23854#null., 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014, 9) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros_texana, 10) https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/about-2/horticulture/edible-gardens-for-austin/fruits-and-nuts-for-austin/persimmons-in-austin-a-fruit-tree-for-everyone/#:~:text=The%20leaves%20are%20killed%20by,three%20feet%20above%20ground%20level.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Plant in well-draining soil, maintaining consistent moisture and warmth while avoiding overwatering. Patience is essential, as root development may take time. Select healthy, semi-hardwood segments with leaf nodes. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Diospyros_texana.html#:~:text=Water:%20Texas%20persimmon%20is%20drought,root%20development%20may%20take%20time. 2) https://earthone.io/plant/diospyros%20texana?srsltid=AfmBOoquJUt6LI2L9CHrd97zIfhPl4WjyLUOiTLqH8M5jm-glOVC2vrk
Seed Sow seed with some patience. They often benefit from time and weathering for good germination. Seedling trees will begin flowering within five to six-years but it will take approximately 10-years for the flaking bark to appear. Collect fully ripe, black fruit clean off pulp, 1) https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/DIOTEXA.pdf 2) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/diospyros-texana-texas-persimmon 3) https://earthone.io/plant/diospyros%20texana?srsltid=AfmBOoquJUt6LI2L9CHrd97zIfhPl4WjyLUOiTLqH8M5jm-glOVC2vrk
Seedling Transplant In home gardens, you can transplant small volunteer seedlings to other areas while they are still young. Seedling trees will begin flowering within five to six-years but it will take approximately 10-years for the flaking bark to appear. 1) https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/DIOTEXA.pdf 2) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/diospyros-texana-texas-persimmon

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason