STORY BEHIND THE ART OF ESMEE WINKEL

18th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York

American Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

In fall the American persimmon turns from green to golden orange with a red cheek, and ranging to dark purple, tasting deliciously sweet when ripening. Each berry contains one to eight flat, brown seeds but can be seedless as well. It is a wonderful adventure exploring the stunning colors of the persimmons from warm yellows to the pinks and cool blues with a beautiful bloom covering the fruit. The flowers of the persimmon tree are greenish yellow to creamy white and typically consist of four lobes. In the family of ebony producing trees, its wood is very dark and strong.

I received these colorful fruit as a gift at an American Society of Botanical Artists conference where it was most inspiring to share the stories, folklore and interesting facts surrounding them. There could be no better way of sharing knowledge and passion on botanical art. Exhibiting this contemporary art and its scientific significance hopefully enhances awareness of people around the world and underlines the importance of studying nature.

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