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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Diospyros (virginiana)

Mike Materne
Plant Materials Specialists
USDA NRCS - Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center
P.O. Box 16030, University Station
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70893
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/lapmc
Family Scientific Name: Ebenaceae
Family Common Name: Ebony
Scientific Name: Diospyros virginiana
Common Name: Persimmon
General Distribution: Usually dry deciduous forest, pinelands, and old fields; however, has a wide range of sites varying in moisture and fertility conditions (Godfrey 1988).
Propagation Goal: seeds
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Time To Grow: 0
Propagule Collection: Collected in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Propagule Processing: EASE OF COLLECTION: Readily accessible.
METHOD OF CLEANING: Seeds are easily removed by running water through a macerator and allowing the pulp to float away, or by rubbing and washing the pulp through 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth (ibid.).
TYPE OF MATERIAL COLLECTED FOR PROPAGATION: Seed and seedlings.
PROPAGATION METHOD: Seed and seedlings.
NUMBER OF SEEDS PER POUND: 1,200 (USDA 1974).
PERCENT GERMINATION: 96% (ibid.).
Pre-Planting Treatments: PRETREATMENTUSED: Cold stratification at 40§F for 90 days.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 METHOD OF GROWING: Container.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: SEED MATURITY DATE: Flowers: March-June. Fruits: September - November.

UNUSUAL OR UNIQUE HARVESTING OR DIGGING REQUIREMENTS: Seedlings have strong taproots and should be field planted at the end of the first season.

STORAGE REQUIREMENTS: Cleaned seed should be spread out to dry for a day or two. Prolonged storage requires thorough drying (ibid.).

ESTIMATED PROPAGULE STORAGE POTENTIAL: Unknown; however, seeds stored for prolonged periods should be stored in sealed, dry containers at 41§F (ibid.).
References: Godfrey, R.K. 1988. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Northern Florida and Adjacent Georgia and Alabama. Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1974.

Citation:

Fine, Gary. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Diospyros virginiana seeds USDA NRCS - Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/25). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.