Asimina triloba aka Pawpaw

Taxonomy

Asimina triloba, commonly known as the American papaw, pawpaw, paw paw, or paw-paw, is a small deciduous tree that is native to the eastern United States and Canada. It is the only temperate genus in the tropical and subtropical flowering plant family Annonaceae, and has the most northern range of all. The pawpaw is a patch-forming understory tree found in well-drained, deep, fertile bottomland and hilly upland habitat. Its large, simple leaves with drip tips are more characteristic of plants in tropical rainforests than within this species' temperate range. Pawpaw fruits are the largest edible fruit indigenous to the United States, with a sweet, custard-like texture and a flavor somewhat similar to banana, mango, and pineapple. They are commonly eaten raw, but are also used to make ice cream and baked desserts. The bark, leaves, and seeds contain the insecticidal neurotoxin annonacin. Pawpaws can fit into almost any landscape and are usually grown from seeds, although grafted trees can occasionally be found. The trees can grow 20 to 30 feet tall and produce a plump 1-pound fruit with a sweet flesh and few seeds. The leaves produce a pungent odor when crushed and display a bright yellow fall color. The bark is smooth with wart-like lenticels. Overall, Asimina triloba is a unique and delicious addition to any garden or landscape.

Common names

Pawpaw, Indian Banana, Pawpawtree

How to care for Pawpaw

Difficulty

Caring for Pawpaw is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Pawpaw should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Pawpaw loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Pawpaw requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Indian Banana is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Pawpaw is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The Pawpaw grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Pawpaw as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Pawpaw’s native range is South-eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida, west to Texas and Nebraska.


More info:
Wikipedia