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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Asimina parviflora (Smallflower pawpaw)
Cressler, Alan

Asimina parviflora

Asimina parviflora (Michx.) Dunal

Smallflower Pawpaw, Small-flower Pawpaw, Dwarf Pawpaw

Annonaceae (Custard-Apple Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ASPA18

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small-flower or dwarf pawpaw is a 6-8 ft. shrub. Its young shoots and leaves are covered with a rusty down, later becoming smooth. Thick, dark green leaves are heavily scented. Brownish-purple, six-petaled flowers are borne singly in leaf axils before leaf emergence. Cylindric, dark green or brown fruit.

 

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Obovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Shrub up to 10 feet tall.
Leaf: Alternate, simple, oblong to obovate or oblanceolate, pointed at the tip, tapering to the base, without teeth, smooth at maturity, except for some hairs on the veins on the lower surface, up to 8 inches long.
Flower: Solitary, borne in axils of the leaf scars, maroon, up to 3/4 inch across, usually with a slightly bad odor.
Fruit: Berries greenish yellow at maturity, smooth, up to 3 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Coastal plain pine forests from s.e. VA to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Dry, piney or oak woods; thickets

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Fertile, loose, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Good understory plant.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Plants are easily grown from scarified/stratified seed. Increase by root cuttings, layering, or dormant transplanting.
Seed Collection: Fruit often drops from shrub while still hard, green and sour. These fruits can be stored in single layers on trays until pulp begins to soften. Remove seeds and air dry before storing.
Seed Treatment: Follow scarification with a 60-90 day stratification at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU UPL FAC
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Asimina parviflora in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Asimina parviflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asimina parviflora

Metadata

Record Modified: 2014-08-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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