Diospyros kaki

Origin: China.

Botanical characteristics: It is a small deciduous fruit tree with rounded and expanded crown. The trunk has a brown and scaly bark. It has large oval dark green leaves up to 20cm long, with smooth margin. In autumn their colour ranges from yellow to orange and red. it is a dioecious plant. Female plants produce small yellow bell-shaped flowers that are followed by edible spherical yellow-orange fruits that ripen in early autumn.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It has been cultivating in Italy for a long time for its edible fruits and the wonderful colours of autumn leaves. It prefers fertile, well-drained and deep soils. It lives in full sun, sheltered from cold winds and frost.

Use: It is cultivated as an ornamental plant to create shade and for its fruits. It is used as a single plant, in small gardens as well. Once it was planted for shade and fruits in the courtyards of country houses.