The [BARK] of old trees is almost black and separated into thick, nearly square blocks.
The LEAVES are [alternate], [oval], entire, 4 to 6 inches long, dark green and shining above, paler beneath.
The small FLOWERS, which appear in May, are yellowish or cream-white, somewhat bell-shaped, the male and female flowers occurring on separate trees; the male in clusters of 2 or 3, the female solitary. They are visited by many insects.
The [FRUIT] is a pulpy, round, orange-colored or brown [berry], an inch or more in diameter and containing several flattened, hard, smooth seeds. The fruit is strongly [astringent] while green, but often quite sweet and delicious when thoroughly ripe. It is relished by both man and animals, especially after a few frosty nights.
The WOOD is hard, dense, strong, the [heartwood] brown or black, the wide [sapwood] white or yellowish. It is particularly valued for shuttles, golf club heads, and similar special uses, but is not of sufficient commercial use to warrant its growth as a timber tree.
The TEXAS or BLACK PERSIMMON (D. texana Scheele) is described on [page 127].
COMMON SWEETLEAF (Horse-Sugar)
Symplocos tinctoria (L.) L’Hér.
Sweetleaf is usually found along the borders of streams and swamps, chiefly in East Texas. It seldom grows to a height of more than 30 feet or a diameter of more than 8 inches. The slender upright branches, forming an open head, are bluish or grayish, and decidedly roughened by elevated [leaf-scars], or places of attachment of the last crop of leaves.
COMMON SWEETLEAF ([Fruit] and flowers about natural size; leaf, one-half natural size)