Date Plum - Diospyros Lotus - Seed x 20

Diospyros lotus is a deciduous tree growing to 9 m tall with a spread of 6m at a medium rate.

These are from our own Lotus trees, and these are what we grow to produce our rootstocks for grafting purposes.

It is hardy to zone (UK) 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant, so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Insects, wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Fruits without seeds are produced parthenogenetically, that is, without a male tree being present. 

The fruit is very astringent and mouth-numbing when green. The fruit has an exquisitely rich flavour when it is fully ripe. The fruits are relatively small at 20mm.