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, PawpawtreeHow 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
To ensure optimal growth, the Pawpaw prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
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
