Male Lotus Persimmon

Native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, Lotus persimmon (also called Date-plum) is a dioecious species requiring both male and female plants for fruit production. They have a dark green glossy foliage turning yellow, orange, and red in autumn.

Male trees produce pink flowers in spring before the leaves push. They provide essential pollen for female Lotus persimmon trees but produce no fruit themselves. Both male and female trees are necessary for fruit production on female plants.

Cultivated in the Caucasus region for thousands of years, with fruit described in Homer's Odyssey and Greek/Roman mythology. Introduced to Western horticulture primarily as rootstock due to exceptional cold tolerance and drought resistance.