Lotus persimmon, Date plum, Dateplum persimmon
Diospyros lotus

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows up to 15-30 m tall. It can spread to 8 m wide. The bark is furrowed. Young twigs are hairy. The leaf blade is oval and 5-13 cm long by 2.5-6 cm wide. The flowers are reddish or greenish-white. They are bell shaped. The male flowers are in clusters of 2-3 and the female flowers usually occur singly. The fruit are brown or yellow berries. They turn dark purple when ripe. They are 2 cm across.

There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to S.W. Asia and Northern Iran. It grows between 500-2500 m altitude in southern China. They grow between 1,180-2,000 m altitude in Kashmir. It is very cold hardy. It does not tolerate acidic soils. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan. Arboretum Tasmania. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bhutan, Britain, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Europe, Georgia, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, NW India, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or preserved and used in wine and vinegar. The fruit are astringent and usually need special treatment. They need to be very ripe. The fruit can be dried.

The fruit are sold in markets. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruit in Iran.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grafted.

Its other names

Local names

Amblook, Amlok, Amlook, Amlot, A-mu-dong-ba-shing, Asian lotus plum, Caucasian persimmon, False lote-tree, Hirnik, Hpunmang, Jun qian zi, Junqianzi, Kawo amlok, Keshen amalok, Khveulebrivi khurma, Lotosni ebenovec, Palo santo, Shishu, Tazhi, Tazhu, Thi bi, Thi sen, Toor amlock, Ziar amluk

Synonyms

Dactylus trapezuntinus Forssk.; Diospyros calycina Dippel; Diospyros lotus var. lotus; Diospyros lotus var. mollissima C. Y. Wu; Diospyros mediterranea Oken; Diospyros microcarpa Siebold; Diospyros umlovok Griff.;