Persimmons, Bittersweet & Hedge Apples
Written on November 4, 2009 at 3:40 pm , by James A. Baggett
A quick trip to St. Louis last weekend to check in with my parents reminded me of the late-season natural treasures of the Show-Me State with which I grew up. In order of appearance (during an afternoon hike last Sunday with my great friend Lisa and my good dogs Scout and Finch through the nearby neighboring suburban parkland known locally as Queeny Park) : gooey-sweet native persimmons, armloads of red-and-orange bittersweet, and as many chartreuse osage oranges as I could possibly tote home to my undownable Mother. Each of our discoveries were treasures particular to the state of Missouri at precisely this very point in time. Around the muddy bases of the dozen or so fruit-laden persimmon trees we found the eager tracks of deer and raccoon. The invasive bittersweet was nearly out-of-arm’s-reach as it was slowly and systematically strangling the upper reaches of the native oaks and hickories and black walnuts that dominated our walk. And the softball-sized brainlike osage oranges seemed to litter our path with their refreshingly fragrant and curious fruit that caused us to pause and inhale a particularly clean and heavenly scent specific to this season. I like to think of it as a Midwestern eucalyptus. I’m back home in Iowa now but the scent of osage oranges fills my home.
One Response to “Persimmons, Bittersweet & Hedge Apples”
November 5, 2009 at 9:33 am, by Luke
I love the look of both persimmon and osage orange at this time of year, when the fruit hang on the bare branches. It’s like an extra boost of fall color when most of the foliage is gone.