Diospyros virginiana fruited "yates", which is a late ripening variety) remain astringent even when the fruit has become completely soft (at least in the British climate). Frost, however, destroys the cells within the fruit, causing it to rot instead of ripen. Only completely ripe and soft fruit can stand some frost; it will then dry and become even sweeter (hence the misconception). The same goes for the Oriental persimmon ("Diospyros kaki"), where early frost can severely damage a fruit crop. Diospyros virginiana Diospyros virginiana is a persimmon species commonly called the American persimmon, common persimmon, eastern persimmon, "simmon", "possumwood", "possum apples", or
Diospyros leucomelas further from the coast. Diospyros leucomelas Diospyros leucomelas (marble ebony, bois d'ebene marbre or bois d'ebene a veines) is a species of tree endemic to Mauritius. This low, multi-stemmed tree species resembles the related species "Diospyros egrettarum" (and less so "Diospyros revaughanii") in its dark, rectangular, leathery leaves, rounded leaf-base, very short petiole, and short fruits. "Diospyros leucomelas" can be distinguished by the red midribs of its leaves though, which remain into adulthood and become especially prominent on the leaf undersides. Like the coastal "Diospyros egrettarum" it was most common along the eastern coast of Mauritius. However "D.leucomelas" usually grew