Family: Ebenaceae

Diospyros kaki (kaki, chinese persimmon, japanese persimmon) is a tree native to China. Kaki are known for their sweet, mildly tangy taste and a texture that can range from soft to occasionally fibrous. It’s important to note that the astringency of some persimmon varieties can be off-putting if the fruit is not fully ripe. The bitter flavor will weaken with maturation and as the fruit softens. Their cultivation traces back to over 2,000 years ago in China, followed by introductions to Japan during the 7th century and Korea in the 14th century. In the 19th century, they made their way to California and southern Europe, and by the 1890s, they were also introduced in Brazil.  The tree’s leaves have uses in traditional Chinese medicine. Research conducted on extracts and formulations has unveiled a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects, encompassing antioxidative, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, hemostatic activities, and impacts on the cardiovascular system. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability
  
• Able to grow in subtropical and tropical climates
  
• Reported as naturalized in Japan (but no evidence from the Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Unconfirmed reports of weediness
  
• Other Diospyros species are invasive
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Can reproduce by seeds and vegetatively by suckers
  
• Some cultivars may produce fruit after 2 years
  
• Seeds, if produced, may be dispersed by frugivorous mammals, birds, seed caching rodents, and through intentional cultivation
  
• Tolerates pruning (may resprout if cut)

Low Risk Traits:

• A domesticated tree with a long history of cultivation and no confirmed reports of negative impacts where grown
  
• Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands with no evidence of naturalization or invasiveness
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Foliage palatable to browsing animals
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Grows in full sun and high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
  
• Dioecious
  
• Parthenocarpic trees may produce seedless fruit
  
• Seeds, when produced, are relatively large and unlikely to be dispersed long distances by animals or accidentally