Vick, Albert F. W.
Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal
Pawpaw, Common paw paw, Indian banana
Annonaceae (Custard-Apple Family)
Common pawpaw is a small, short-trunked
tree or large, multi-stemmed
shrub, 10-40 ft. tall, with large, tropical-like leaves. Young shoots and leaves are covered with a rusty down, later becoming smooth. The thick, bright-green,
deciduous leaves turn yellow-green in fall. Not particularly showy, but interesting, purple, six-petaled flowers are borne singly in leaf axils before leaf emergence. Large, cylindric, dark-green or yellow, edible
fruit follows.
Common Pawpaw is the northernmost New World representative of a chiefly tropical family, which includes the popular tropical fruits Annona, Custard-apple, Sugar-apple, and Soursop. The wild
fruit was once harvested, but the supply has now decreased greatly due to the clearing of forests. The small crop is generally consumed only by wildlife, such as opossums, squirrels, raccoons, and birds. Attempts have been made to cultivate Common Pawpaw as a
fruit tree. First recorded by the DeSoto expedition in the lower Mississippi Valley in 1541. The name Common Pawpaw is from the Arawakan name of Papaya, an unrelated tropical American fruit.
Image Gallery:
8 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Root Type: Tap Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf Shape: Obovate Leaf Venation: Pinnate Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous Leaf Apex: Acuminate Leaf Texture: Smooth
Breeding System: Flowers
Bisexual Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower: Flowers 3-4 cm
Fruit: Orange, Brown, 4-13 cm
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Red , Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON Native Distribution: FL to TX, n. to w. NY, s. Ont., MI, IL, s.e. IA & s.e. NE
Native Habitat: Ditches, Ravines, Depressions, Flood plains, bottomland
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, moist, slightly acid soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: This is a good understory tree. No serious disease or insect problems. The
fruit can create a mess on sidewalks and patios, but this can be minimized by planting only one tree; pawpaws seldom set much
fruit without cross pollination.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Understory
tree, Aromatic, Fall conspicuous
Use Wildlife: Small mammals relish the fragrant
fruit which tastes banana-like. Fruit-mammals, Fruit-birds.
Use Food: First Nations People and European settlers have long used the
fruit as food. First Nations People used the
fruit fresh and made it into cakes and sauces, or dried and used it as winter food. Some people reportedly develop contact dermatitis after frequent exposure to the fruits. (Athenic) EDIBLE PARTS: Raw berries (fruits) in small quantity. The fruits generally fall to the ground before they are ripe and therefore must be ripened at home. Ripen outdoors -- the smell is overpowering. The
fruit is ripe when the skin turns brown. The
fruit can be eaten raw, cutting them in half like an avocado, removing the large
oblong seeds and sprinkling with lemon juice. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Warning: The
fruit, though edible, can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset in some individuals. POISONOUS PARTS:
Fruit, leaves. Skin irritation when handling fruit; low toxicity when ingested.
Fruit edible but some symptoms might include severe stomach and intestinal pain for some people.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Asimina triloba is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2009-02-18
