Description
Deciduous tree in the ebony family, with a 1-to-2-foot diameter erect trunk with alligator bark. Native to central and eastern US. It is slow-growing and thicket forming and can take 10 to 15 years before the tree bears fruit. The trees are usually dioecious (separate male and female and both are needed for fruiting to occur). Flowering is in spring to early summer with fruit ripening in the fall. The 1-to-2-inch fruits are orange and very sweet when ripe. They are a source of food for many types of birds and mammals. It is astringent when green, but sweet when soft and ripe and may be eaten raw, or used in syrups, jellies, ice cream and pies.
Sun | H: 30-80′ W: 20-35′ | zone 4-9
