Diospyros virginiana Diospyros virginiana Diospyros virginiana is a persimmon species commonly called the American persimmon, common persimmon, eastern persimmon, "simmon", "possumwood", "possum apples", or "sugar-plum". It ranges from southern Connecticut/Long Island to Florida, and west to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa. The tree grows wild but has been cultivated for its fruit and wood since prehistoric times by Native Americans. "Diospyros virginiana" grows through , in well-drained soil. In summer, this species produces fragrant flowers which are dioecious, so one must have both male and female plants to obtain fruit. Most cultivars are parthenocarpic (setting seedless fruit without pollination). The flowers
Tomato states have adopted the tomato as a state fruit or vegetable (see above). "Physalis" that is also used in cooking Tomato The tomato (see pronunciation) is the edible, often red, berry of the nightshade "Solanum lycopersicum", commonly known as a tomato plant. The species originated in western South America. The Nahuatl (Aztec language) word "tomatl" gave rise to the Spanish word "tomate", from which the English word "tomato" derived. Its use as a cultivated food may have originated with the indigenous peoples of Mexico. The Spanish encountered the tomato from their contact with the Aztec during the Spanish colonization of