Tree Handbook

Chapote

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Chapote
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Anacahuita
Anacua

CHAPOTE Texas Persimmon
Diospyros texana Ebenaceae, Ebony Family

DESCRIPTION: 
  • Small tree, intricately branched; bark peels from maturing trunks.

  • Height: 10-15 feet; can reach 30 feet.

  • Flowers: Small, white; solitary or in few flower cluster.

  • Fruit: 1-inch black edible fruit on female trees.

  • Foliage: Almost evergreen.

  • Bark: Light reddish-gray; outer bark peels, baring lighter gray, smooth
    inner bark. 

  • Growth rate: Slow.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Sun: Full sun to full shade.
    Soil: Any.

  • Drainage: Good to moderate.

  • Water: Well-drained, low once established; drought tolerant.

  • Maintenance: Avoid damage to thin bark; avoid female trees if one does not want fruit; disease tolerant; prune lower branches to show attractive trunk.

  • Propagation: Fresh seed.

  • NATIVE HABITAT: Many.


WILDLIFE USE:

Coyotes, javalinas, deer and birds utilize fruit; cover, nest sites; leaves browsed by deer and goats.


COMMENTS: 

"Fruit of the gods;" wood nearly black, durable; used for fine furniture; fruit used to dye hides. The beauty of this small accent tree lies in the smooth sinewy trunk; very durable, can bounce back quickly from rough ill treatment.

 

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Content by the Native Plant Project - P.O. Box 2742 - San Juan, TX  78589
All Rights Reserved
Revised: May 15, 2012
 This site designed and maintained by Bert Wessling ( bwessling AT gmail DOT com ) Comments Welcomed.