Persimmon Seeds Predict: Above Average Snowfall, Colder Than Average Winter

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — According to the tiny seedling found in Ozarks persimmon seeds this fall, the coming Ozarks winter is going to be colder than average with an above average snowfall and fewer warm spells.

“It is a cherished bit of Ozarks folklore that the shape of the tiny seedling inside a persimmon seed can predict upcoming winter conditions,” said Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension. “It is not a research- based way to forecast the weather, but once a year it is a fun tongue- in- cheek project and a great way to educate people about this unique native Ozark fruit tree.”

According to Ozarks folklore, a spoon shape on the seed indicates above average snowfall, a knife shape signals colder than normal temperatures and a fork shape means warmer than average temperatures.

For this year’s weather forecast, Byers collected fruit from persimmon trees in Lawrence, Greene, Webster, Stone and Howell counties. He extracted the seeds from the fruit and then randomly selected 65 seeds.

“I cracked open the seeds, observed the seedlings and then added up the data,” said Byers.

The 2015 seeds produced the following results. The spoon shape appeared in 64 percent of the seeds, the knife shape in 17 percent of the seeds and the fork in 19 percent of the seeds.

Over the past five years of doing this project, Byers says the average has been 58.7 percent spoon-shaped, 14.3 percent knife shaped and 27 percent fork-shaped.

Based on those numbers, Byers says the persimmon seeds suggest an above average snowfall, colder than average temperatures and few warm spells in the Ozarks this winter.

“The important thing is the deviation from the average. The numbers should be considered individually. The spoon percentage is always the highest, but I look for whether a given year’s numbers are above or be l ow the ave ra ge,” explained Byers.

Based on deviation this year, Byers says a folklore based forecast can be made.

“Looks like Ozarkers better get a warm coat and a snow shovel,” said Byers.

Persimmons grow on a tree and look like an orange tomato. An unripe fruit can quickly pucker the lips of a person with its bitter taste. Native Americans taught early settlers that the fruit should be left on the trees until late October when it becomes ripe enough to eat.

Once ripe, persimmons do not keep well. They should be eaten right away or refrigerated for no more than a day or two. When you have enough, persimmons are often used to make bread, muffins, cookies, cakes and pudding.

For more information on persimmons or answers to your specific lawn and garden questions, contact Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension or the Greene County Master Gardener Hotline at (417) 881- 8909. More information is available on the Greene County Extension website at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.