Dwarf Varieties of the Persimmon

Gosho

• Gosho is a nonastringent --- meaning it's a fruit that lacks astringency and is ready for consumption --- large-sized persimmon that ripens in October and has a round to oblate shape. The reddish-orange skin has a lustrous shine, and the inner flesh a sweet taste. Gosho is a species of Japanese persimmon that forms on a semidwarf tree prone to shedding its fruit prematurely. The tree is a regular bearer of persimmon fruits; however, the crops are sparse and light. Gosho has one of the deepest colors of skins found on a persimmon, according to the University of Guam.

Ichikikei Jiro

• Ichikikei Jiro is a hardy, semidwarf species of Oriental persimmon. This drought-, disease- and heat-tolerant tree grows to heights of 6 to 8 feet tall and harvests fruit about a week later than most other midseason cultivars. The nonastringent fruit has a sweet taste and ripens from September through October. The light orange skin of the Ichikikei Jiro persimmon has a shiny appearance. Ichikikei Jiro is a seedless variety of persimmon with large fruits that form in abundant clusters.

Mawaka Jiro

• Mawaka Jiro is a dwarf type of early-ripening nonastringent Oriental persimmon. This hardy dwarf tree has immunity to many diseases and is resistant to late frosts. Mawaka Jiro reaches heights of 6 to 12 feet, with a low to medium salt tolerance. This bud sport of Jiro has a low to moderate production of fruits from mid-October to mid-November. The oblong-shaped Mawaka Jiro persimmons have a deep, rich, orange skin with a glossy appearance. Mawaka Jiro has a sweet flesh.

Izu

• Izu is an early-ripening Oriental persimmon tree that develops only female flowers. Standing at 12 to 15 feet in height with a spread of 8 to 12, Izu is a semidwarf tree. This early-maturing fruit tree harvests in late September until the middle of October and is the earliest-maturing persimmon, according to the University of Florida. Izu is a prolific producer of medium-size, oblate nonastringent fruits. The burnt-orange skin of the Izu has a shiny tone, and the inner soft flesh has a sweet taste.