Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana) observed in McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, TX, US
iNaturalist: caleb_osborn
Native Plants
Next time you walk the trails at McKinney Falls, the gnarled little trees with papery charcoal-gray bark peeling away in patches are Texas Persimmons — their small black fruits feed cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, and white-tailed deer through late summer.
Someone spotted and photographed a Texas Persimmon tree in McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, and the sighting was confirmed as accurate by the iNaturalist community. Texas Persimmon is a tough native tree that produces small, sweet black fruits beloved by birds and wildlife. It's a great example of a locally adapted plant quietly doing important ecological work right inside a city park.
Key Findings
Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana) confirmed present at McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, TX with research-grade status
Observation achieved 'research-grade' classification, meaning at least two-thirds of community identifiers agreed on the species ID
Sighting adds to the documented native plant biodiversity record for this urban state park in central Texas
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade observation of Texas Persimmon was recorded at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, Texas. This native small tree, known for its distinctive dark fruit and peeling bark, has been documented as present and thriving in this urban state park.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of Texas Persimmon in McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, TX, US.
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Species Mentioned
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Diospyros texana is a species of persimmon that is native to central, south and west Texas and southwest Oklahoma in the United States, and eastern Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico. Common names include Texas persimmon, Mexican persimmon and the more ambiguou...