Diospyros lotus
Date Plum
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Diospyros lotus.
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Partial shade, Full sun
Usage properties
Fruit
Wood
Description
Fruit - raw or cooked. The taste of the fruit is deliciously rich when it is fully ripe (almost overripe), but earlier it is very hard and astringent. In a cool summer, the fruit may not ripen well, but when it becomes slightly soft, it usually develops a very good flavor. The fruit can be dried, which gives it a date-like taste. The fruit can also be harvested in the autumn, preferably after a frost and bletted (softened to promote ripening). The fruit ripens on the tree in a fairly sunny spot in Kew in most years and produces fertile seeds. The fruit contains about 1.9% protein, 0.2% fat, 47.7% carbohydrates, and 1% ash. The fruits are approximately the size of a large cherry and change color from yellow to blue-black as they ripen. They are about 20 mm in diameter.