American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is in the persimmon family family (Ebenaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,424 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph American persimmon: observations by month (U.S.)
About American persimmon
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.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American persimmon by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 177 | May | May–May |
| Texas | 175 | April | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 146 | May | May–May |
| Maryland | 115 | June | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 102 | May | May–May |
| Florida | 89 | April | Apr–May |
| Missouri | 79 | June | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 74 | May | May–May |
| South Carolina | 65 | May | May–May |
| Arkansas | 58 | May | May–May |
| Alabama | 52 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 49 | May | May–Jun |
| Mississippi | 39 | April | Apr–May |
| Kentucky | 35 | May | May–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 34 | May | May–May |
| Louisiana | 30 | April | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Indiana | 19 | May | May–Jun |
| Delaware | 18 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Jersey | 18 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Ohio | 12 | June | May–Jun |
| Kansas | 11 | May | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph American persimmon?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is American persimmon most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Texas, Virginia.