Deciduous tree with expanded foliage and shiny, lanceolate, elliptical or oval, dark green leaves, up to 12cm long. In summer, it produces small bell-shaped flowers, green in colour with red shades, followed by inedible fruits on female plants, which vary from yellow to purple, up to 2cm wide. The name "Diospyros" derives from the Greek dìos, meaning divine, and pyròs, meaning fruit, in reference to its prized fruits. Introduced to Europe at the end of the 18th century from China and Korea, Diospyros lotus is used as a rootstock for persimmons. Expanding deciduous tree with lanceolate, elliptical or oval, shiny, dark green leaves, up to 12cm long. In summer, it produces small bell-shaped flowers, green tinged with red, followed (on female plants) by inedible fruits, spherical and ovoid, yellow to purple, up to 2cm wide. The name derives from the Greek dìos, meaning divine, and pyròs, meaning fruit, in reference to the excellent fruits. The species was introduced into Europe at the end of the 18th century from China and Korea. Diospyros lotus is used as a persimmon rootstock.