BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Diospyros texana | Texas Persimmon 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Texas persimmon is a small, native, dioecious tree with smooth, peeling
bark [30,41].  Texas persimmon leaves are generally deciduous at the
northern edge of its range but become persistent further south [33].
Texas persimmon generally grows to about 10 feet (3 m) in height, but
may grow to 40 feet (12 m) on good sites [33].  The three- to
eight-seeded fruit is about 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter [30,41].

Several characteristics enable Texas persimmon to survive in semiarid
environments.  The broad upwardly inclined leaves and smooth bark with
low water retention serve to funnel rainwater down the stems.  Stemflow
volume of Texas persimmon is 5.6 percent of the total precipitation over
the crown of the tree [29].  In addition, the leaves are sclerophyllous
and drought deciduous [45].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Texas persimmon regenerates by vegetative reproduction and seed.

Five- to six-year-old individuals may begin producing fruit [33].  The
seeds are dispersed by animals.  In a study on the Edwards Plateau, more
than 90 percent of carnivore feces collected between September and
November contained Texas persimmon seeds.  The study did not include
data on herbivores.  Seeds are not destroyed by mastication or
digestion [14].

Texas persimmon seeds washed free of fruit pulp germinate readily, but
seeds covered with intact fruit do not.  The fruit apparently contains
an inhibitor.  Texas persimmon fruit pulp inhibited the root growth of
germinating honey mesquite [28].

Texas persimmon seeds are nondormant.  Laboratory acid treatments are
detrimental to germination [18,38,42].  Seeds germinate anytime that
soils are moist.  In wet years fall germination is followed by slow
winter growth and increased growth in the spring.  In dry years seeds
do not germinate until the next wet season, usually the following spring
[38].  Viability is not reduced after 2 years in storage [18].

Germination rates are generally high (50-90%) [18,38,42].  Germination
rates in excess of 90 percent occur when temperatures are between 68 and
86 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 30 deg C), but rates drop considerably at
lower temperatures.  Germination occurs equally well in light and dark
conditions [18].  The germination rate after scarification with coarse
sandpaper for 2 minutes was 77 percent, higher than the unscarified
control seeds at 55 percent [42].

Seedlings are not dependent on soil cover for establishment, but highest
emergence (73%) and 60-day height growth [8.2 inches (20.8 cm)]
occurred when seeds were covered with 0.4 inch (1 cm) of soil.  Soil
depths of 0.8 to 2.8 inches (2-7 cm) did not severely restrict emergence
and height growth [18].

Texas persimmon grows slowly; it reaches 2.0 to 3.6 feet (0.6-1.1 m) in
height after 5 years [44].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Texas persimmon occurs on semiarid sites including rocky north slopes,
arroyos, ravines, and upper floodplain terraces [30,41].  In drier
regions, it is confined to canyon sites [10].  Texas persimmon grows on
a variety of soil types including calcareous soils [30,41], clays, and
fine sandy loams [2,7].  It occurs from 1,100 to 5,700 feet (300-1,700 m)
elevation [30].

The climate in southern Texas and northern Mexico is subtropical with
warm winters and hot humid summers.  Rainfall is bimodal, peaking in the
spring and fall [2].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

Texas persimmon is shade tolerant [38].  It is an important species in
mature woodlands [39].  Seedlings grow as well in 50 percent shade as in
full sunlight [38].  There are 150 to 700 Texas persimmon per hectare in
decidous and evergreen woodlands in the southeastern portion of the
Edwards Plateau.  About 80 percent are between 0.4 and 2.0 inches (1-5
cm) in diameter at ground level, indicating recent recruitment into the
population or suppressed growth [38,39,40].

During the past century brush has invaded the savannas and grasslands of
Texas; woody cover increased an estimated 16 to 36 percent between 1941
and 1983.  Honey mesquite generally invades first, then serves as a
focus for wildlife which disseminate the seeds of other woody species.
Clusters of brush develop and stabilize.  Texas persimmon attains 50
percent frequency in brush clusters that are 86 to 118 square feet (8-11
sq m) about 30 to 40 years after the initial honey mesquite invasion.
Texas persimmon occurs frequently in brush clusters that contain at
least four to six woody species [2,3].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Texas persimmon flowers from February to June [30].  Fruits mature in
August and September [38].

Related categories for Species: Diospyros texana | Texas Persimmon