Japanese Persimmon / Asian Persimmon

Description:

"Diospyros kaki, better known as the Japanese Persimmon, Kaki Persimmon (kaki [柿]) or Asian Persimmon in North America, is the most widely cultivated species of the Diospyros genus. Although its first published botanical description was not until 1780, the kaki is also among the oldest plants in cultivation, known for its use in China for more than 2000 years." When ripe, this fruit comprises thick pulpy jelly encased in a waxy thin skinned shell. "Sharon Fruit" (named originally after Sharon plain in Israel) is the trade name for D. kaki fruit whose astringency has been chemically removed. It is also known as the "Korean mango".http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Persimmon

Habitat:

Kaki are grown worldwide, with 90 percent of production in China, Japan and Korea. In East Asia the main harvest time for kaki is in the months of October and November. The trees have already lost their leaves by the time of harvest. Occasionally, the brightly colored fruit is left unharvested on the tree as a decorative effect.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Persimmon