Common Persimmon, (Diospyros virginiana), is a relatively short fruiting tree (although some articles suggest it can grow 100 feet in the right soil conditions), that produces fleshy and tasty fruit. It reproduces both from its seeds as well as vegetatively, making it easy to cultivate. Unfortunately, it can take quite a few years to start producing. One article says it takes six years, while another, much older source, stated ten at the extreme earliest. The leaves are glossy green, making them a good ornamental with spring flowers.
There are 34 species of caterpillars that feed on the common persimmon including the popular luna moth. Unfortunately, some of the most fascinating and important consumers of this plant are extinct. The fruit appears to have been a source of food for North American megafauna from the pleistocene (likely mastodons and mammoths) who, through a combination of hunting and climate change, no longer exist. The reason they may have been important distributors is that testing with African elephants suggests consumption by members of the elephant family increased seed viability. That said, plenty of modern animals do enjoy eating it and often make it difficult to harvest before they get to it.
There is one other American persimmon, Diospyros texana, the Texas persimmon, but it only grows in southern Texas/northern Mexico and the plant and fruit are both smaller.
Map Source:
USGS Atlas of United States Trees