ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Thanks to the dedication of 13-year-old Ada Marciniak from Charles County, Maryland is on the verge of designating the American persimmon as its official state fruit. Senate Bill 159, inspired by Marciniak’s research and passion, has successfully passed through the Senate and is now in the hands of the House of Delegates.
The bill’s journey began with Marciniak’s school project, which revealed Maryland’s lack of a state fruit. Her research led her to propose the American persimmon, a fruit native to Maryland and rich in cultural significance. She emphasized its historical importance to Indigenous cultures and its potential to boost local agriculture and tourism. “Florida has its orange, Georgia has its peach, but when looking for Maryland’s fruit, all I found was a blank space,” Marciniak noted during her testimony on March 8, 2024.
In Maryland, the common or American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a native fruit with various uses, including food preparation and medicinal applications. The fruit, seeds, leaves and bark all have a range of uses, making it an important resource.
Uses of Persimmons in Maryland
The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a versatile fruit with various uses in Maryland:
- Food: The ripe fruit can be eaten fresh or used in jams, pies and baked goods. Roasted seeds can serve as a coffee substitute, and the pulp can be turned into molasses. Dried leaves can be brewed into a vitamin C-rich tea.
- Medicinal: The fruit can help with digestive issues. The inner bark is an astringent and can be used for sore throats.
- Other Uses: Persimmon wood is used in furniture and golf clubs, while the fruit and leaves provide food for various wildlife, including bears, deer and wild turkeys.
In addition to its culinary and medicinal benefits, the persimmon tree plays an essential role in Maryland’s ecosystem.
Marciniak, accompanied by her younger sister, Josephine, and their father, Andrzej Marciniak, spoke in favor of the bill at a Senate committee hearing. Rachel Jones, director of government relations for the Maryland Department of Agriculture, also voiced support, highlighting the potential economic benefits for local agricultural industries. “Atticks is a ‘huge fan of the persimmon and of this bill,'” Jones remarked.
Sen. Arthur Ellis, a Democrat from Charles County and the bill’s sponsor, praised the Marciniak family’s involvement. He expressed being “very impressed” with how prepared they were, noting they represented their teachers and parents well. Sen. Cheryl Kagan of Montgomery County echoed this sentiment, stating, “I loved their interest in engaging in democracy and their confidence.” She added, “Either one of them could run for office one day.”
As the bill progresses, some senators have raised concerns about the persimmon’s familiarity among the public. However, proponents argue that designating it as the state fruit would serve to raise its profile and celebrate Maryland’s heritage.
A hearing has been scheduled for April 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the House. Once the House votes on the bill, it will return to the Senate for final approval. If the bill is passed by both chambers, it will be sent to the governor for signing, with the law taking effect on Oct. 1, 2025.
For the Marciniak family, what began as a school project has blossomed into a significant civic achievement, fostering state pride and community involvement.
For more information about the bill, visit the Maryland General Assembly website.
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I’m happy to learn this.
We hope this young lady is successful in here honorable attempt to get Maryland to adopt a State Fruit.
One would have to wonder what percentage of Marylanders have ever tasted a persimmon, especially ‘before’ they are completely ripe. Ha! Ha!