Diospyros texana
Family: Ebenaceae
Plant Description: Deciduous tree or shrub, to 6 m or higher, with crooked trunk, densely tangled limbs, smooth gray flaking bark and alternate, leathery, dark green leaves which curl down slightly on the margins. Leaves 2-4 cm long, obovate to elliptic. Flowers solitary or clustered, unisexual with male and female on separate plants, appearing with the leaves. Corolla 5-6 mm long, white to creamy. Fruit 1.7-2.5 cm wide, fleshy, black, edible with large seeds.
Plant Trivia: Edible fruit. In Mexico, it is reportedly used to make a black dye. The wood is used to make tools and engraving blocks.
Field Identification:
Occurrence: Common on various soils in motts, brushy pastures, and woods.
Bloom Period: March (occasionally in Fall)
Plant Use: Valuable wildlife plant – browse for deer, fruit is eaten by birds and mammals, flowers attract many pollinators, caterpillars, occasionally grazed by cattle. Used in landscaping.
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