Pawpaw, Paw Paw, Papaw, American Custard Apple, Poor Man's Banana
Asimina triloba
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Edible fruit with a custard-like texture and tropical flavor, often described as a mix of banana, mango, and pineapple. Young trees need shade, making them suitable for understory planting in food forests. Attracts zebra swallowtail butterflies. Root suckers can be used to propagate new trees, but may not produce true-to-type offspring. Some cultivars, such as 'Sunflower', 'Overleese', and 'Shenandoah', are known for superior fruit quality and self-fertility (though cross-pollination is still recommended for best yields). Leaves can be used as a natural insecticide (caution: contains annonaceous acetogenins).
Permapeople description
The Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a deciduous tree or shrub native to the eastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 10-20 feet, with large, oblong leaves that can reach up to a foot in length. The plant produces clusters of small, purple flowers in the spring, which are followed by large, yellow-green fruits that ripen in the fall. The fruit of the Pawpaw has a custard-like consistency and a sweet, tropical flavor, making it a popular edible fruit.
Pawpaws are relatively easy to grow and are winter hardy in many parts of the United States. They can be grown in a range of soil types, but prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. They can be grown successfully with minimal care, but may require cross-pollination to produce fruit. Pawpaws have a number of uses, including medicinal uses, as a source of natural fertilizers, and as a food source for wildlife.
One of the key identifying features of the Pawpaw is its large, oblong leaves, which can be up to a foot in length. The leaves are dark green and glossy on the upper surface, and pale green on the underside. The plant's flowers are small and purple, and are produced in clusters in the spring. The fruits of the Pawpaw are large and yellow-green, and have a custard-like consistency when ripe.
Pawpaws are generally easy to grow, and can be cultivated successfully with minimal care. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, and are winter hardy in many parts of the United States. To successfully grow Pawpaws, gardeners and farmers may need to provide adequate moisture and cross-pollinate the plants to ensure good fruit production.
In addition to their edible fruit, Pawpaws have a number of other uses. The leaves and bark of the plant have been used medicinally, and the fruit can be used as a natural fertilizer. Pawpaws are also a valuable food source for wildlife, and the trees can provide habitat for a variety of animals.
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Botanical description
Asimina triloba is a small deciduous tree or large shrub in the Annonaceae family, native to eastern North America. It typically grows 10-25 feet tall, with a spread of 6-15 feet. It has large, oblong-obovate leaves that are 6-12 inches long and 3-5 inches wide. The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire, with a prominent midrib. The bark is smooth and gray-brown. The flowers are maroon or reddish-brown, 1-2 inches across, and bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge. They are insect-pollinated, often by flies and beetles. The fruit is a fleshy berry, 3-6 inches long, with a greenish-yellow skin that turns brown when ripe. The flesh is creamy yellow to orange, with a sweet, custard-like flavor. Each fruit contains several dark brown seeds.
Companion planting
Benefits from understory planting with taller trees providing partial shade, especially when young. Avoid planting in full sun when young. Good companions include nitrogen-fixing plants like legumes to improve soil fertility. Protect from deer browsing when young.
Propagation methods
Seed propagation (requires stratification), root cuttings, budding, grafting, and suckers. Seedlings can be slow to establish, taking several years to bear fruit. Grafting is used to propagate desirable cultivars.
History and traditions
Pawpaws have a long history of use by Native Americans, who ate the fruit fresh, dried, and used it in baked goods. The wood was used for crafting tools. Early European settlers also consumed pawpaws, and they were a popular wild fruit. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are said to have enjoyed pawpaws. However, pawpaws never became a major commercial crop, likely due to their short shelf life and challenges in shipping. They are experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to interest in native foods and permaculture.
Usage calendar
Flowering: Spring (April-May). Fruit ripening: Late summer to early fall (August-October). Planting: Spring or fall (bare-root). Pruning: Late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Stratification of seeds: Requires cold, moist stratification for 90-120 days.