American Persimmon
Scientific Name: Diospyros virginiana
Common Name: American or common persimmon; American date plum
Plant Family: Ebenaceae (Ebony family)
Etymology:Diospyroscomes from the Greek wordsdios(divine) andpyros(wheat or grain), and together they translate to “divine fruit” or “fruit of the gods.” The word persimmon comes fromputchamin, pasiminan, orpessamin, from Powhatan, an Algonquian language, meaning "a dry fruit."
Indigenous Uses
The fruits ofDiospyros virginianawere used by the Cherokee, Comanche, Rappahannock, and Seminole forfood and beverages. The fruits were dried like prunes for storage.
Traditional medicinal usesranged from treating sore throats and mouths, to indigestion, thrush, and bloody bowels. Persimmon served as an astringent for venereal disease and a wash for piles. The bark was chewed for heartburn. A bark infusion of persimmon, alder, white walnut, and wild cherry was used for toothache. Cold water poured over the bark supported bile production and served as a tea for liver health.
Dense wood good for making billet or batons for flaking coarser grains or flints such as greenstone and quartzite.
Edible Parts
The persimmon fruit, which usually ripens in fall, is often used in jams and baked goods. Thefruit pulpcan be turned into molasses, and the seeds can be turned into a peanut-like oil or roasted and used as a coffee substitute.Dried leavesmake a great tea high in vitamin C.
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FAQs
Indigenous Uses
The fruits of Diospyros virginiana were used by the Cherokee, Comanche, Rappahannock, and Seminole for food and beverages. The fruits were dried like prunes for storage. Traditional medicinal uses ranged from treating sore throats and mouths, to indigestion, thrush, and bloody bowels.
What is the American persimmon used for? ›
Other uses for the American Persimmon included crafting golf clubs, pool cues and musical instruments out of its hard, fine-grained wood. The tree is also an important cold-weather food source for a range of native wildlife and is a host plant for several moth species, including the luna moth.
What is the indigenous perspective of people? ›
Indigenous perspectives suggest that the art of knowing, or science, and the forces of production, or technology, as well as the sense of appropriate behavior, or ethics, weave together social and cosmological values.
What is the benefit of Diospyros virginiana? ›
The inner bark and unripe fruit has been used in the treatment of fevers, diarrhea, and hemorrhage, indelible ink made from fruit, flowers used for honey. The fruit was used for food and medicinal purposes by Native Americans.
Can you eat American persimmon fruit? ›
Ripe persimmons are delicious eaten raw from where they land on the ground, and delicious baked into all manner of puddings, cakes, muffins, and breads. Foragers also make beer, wine and ice cream.
Can humans eat persimmons? ›
Astringent persimmons should only be eaten after they have fully ripened, turning soft and deep in color. Persimmons are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. In season, you can find them in many markets, and they are delicious on their own or in cooked dishes and baked goods.
Why teach indigenous perspectives? ›
When we embrace the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective within Education systems, we become change agents. We paint the whole picture for future generations to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is respected and celebrated with the pride it deserves within the Australian community.
What do indigenous people believe in? ›
Spiritual Beliefs
All First Nations believed that their values and traditions were gifts from the Creator. One of the most important and most common teachings was that people should live in harmony with the natural world and all it contained.
What is the indigenous perspective of personality? ›
Indigenous Personality is a perspective that suggests personality can only be understood and interpreted within the context of the culture. In this way personality is considered emic, meaning that it is culturally specific and can only understood within the culture from which it originates.
What is special about a persimmon tree? ›
The common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a deciduous tree that is grown for its beautiful foliage and edible fruit, and it is prized for its beauty and wood density. A common persimmon in the landscape averages around 60 feet tall and in its natural environment can be found as large as 132 feet tall.
Medicinal uses ranged from treating sore throats and mouths, indigestion, thrush, and bloody bowels. Persimmon served as an astringent for venereal disease and a wash for piles. The bark was chewed for heartburn. A bark infusion of persimmon, alder, white walnut, and wild cherry was used for toothache.
What is the use of black persimmon? ›
It is these astringent qualities that made the fruit an excellent resource to resolve inflammatory sores in the mouth and throat, as well as hemorrhoids. Other uses of this plant include creating a black dye from the fruit. The very hard wood was used for tool making and engraving.
What are the healing properties of persimmons? ›
Anti-inflammatory properties
Persimmon fruits have anti-inflammatory characteristics. A study in rats found that the antioxidant properties of persimmon probably reduce inflammation as well as tissue damage. The vitamin C content of the persimmon helps enable the anti-inflammatory effect.
How do you eat native persimmons? ›
How to Eat Raw Persimmons. For a sweet (Fuyu) persimmon, you should use them when they're still quite firm. Start by rinsing the fruit, removing the leaves, and slicing it like you would an apple into your desired shape. The peel is edible — so take a bite!
What is the cultural significance of persimmons? ›
Persimmon is a symbol of good luck in Chinese culture, many designs and shapes are related to persimmon. There have been more researches on persimmon just in the last 20 years.
What does the persimmon symbolize? ›
Persimmons carry a rich cultural significance, often associated with luck and prosperity. In many cultures, the fruit is a symbol of perseverance, reflecting a deep understanding of inner strength.
