The pawpaw plant prefers a climate with warm conditions for optimal germination and growth. It thrives in areas with well-drained soil and prefers fertile soil rich in organic matter. It can tolerate fairly saline water and is able to cope with snow conditions. The plant is native to North America and is found in a variety of altitudes. It occurs naturally as a thicket understorey in open woodland and tends to grow in dryer areas near watercourses. The plant is adaptable to different altitudes and can be grown successfully in various climate zones.
Pawpaw
The Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a deciduous shrub or low tree native to North America. It produces the largest native fruit in North America, known for its dark brown or black skin and creamy texture with a flavor reminiscent of banana custard. The plant requires well-drained fertile soil, is tolerant of saline water, and can reach heights of up to 12 meters. It is also known for its brittle branches and susceptibility to wind damage.
Asimina triloba
United States
Habitat: Pawpaw is native to North America and typically grows as a deciduous shrub or low tree. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. It can be found in open woodlands and tends to grow near watercourses in dryer areas. It is also able to tolerate fairly saline water. Fruit: Pawpaw bears the largest native fruit in North America, weighing up to 300 grams. When fully ripe, the fruit has a dark brown or almost black skin. The soft creamy flesh of the fruit is often described as having a delicious flavor reminiscent of banana custard. It can be eaten raw, dried, and used in various culinary preparations such as preserves, pies, puddings, and desserts. The yellow fruiting varieties are considered superior to the white ones. The nutritional composition of the fruit is as follows: carbohydrate - 16.8%, protein - 5.2%, fat - 0.9%, ash - 0.5%, water - 76.6%. However, it is worth noting that handling the fruit may cause skin rashes in some individuals. Pigs and poultry are reported to not eat the fruit. Wood and Bark: The wood of the pawpaw tree is light, spongy, coarse-grained, weak, and of little value. It has been historically used in local construction. The inner bark was stripped from branches in early spring and made into a string for manufacturing fishing nets, fishing lines, and rope. Seeds and Alkaloids: Pawpaw seeds contain an alkaloid called asimine, which is colorless and tasteless. This alkaloid affects the brain of animals, causing somnolence, stupor, and unconsciousness. The seeds also have emetic properties. The bark of the plant contains the alkaloid analobine and has been used in traditional medicine. Propagation and Cultivars: Pawpaw can be grown from seed, which requires stratification. It is recommended to match the seed source conditions to the local environment for better germination. Seedlings are usually planted out when dormant, at around 300 mm in height. Some advocate for direct sowing of the seed. There may be a root associate that promotes fast and healthy growth, although it has not been isolated yet. Cultivars of pawpaw exist, and the plant can be readily grafted and propagated from root cuttings and layering. Cross-pollination seems to benefit fruiting.
The pawpaw prefers well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. It is tolerant of fairly saline water.
Family: ANNONACEAE
Although called pawpaw in Australia, this species is not a true pawpaw, but is related to the custard apples. Other common names include custard banana and Michigan banana. There are other Asimina spp but none show the promise of this one.
A deciduous shrub or low tree, native to north America and growing, under favourable condi-tions, up to 12 m. It occurs naturally as a thicket understorey in open woodland. In dryer areas it tends to hug the watercourses. The straight trunk rarely exceeds 30 cm in diameter but some have been measured to 150 cm. A single tree can sucker out to about a quarter of an acre in ideal conditions, if allowed. It is able to cope with snow conditions.
Wood ash is said to be a good fertiliser for the tree but better results were observed from using old plaster from a building. The tree has brittle branches and is very prone to wind damage. It prefers well drained, fertile soil, rich in organic matter. Severe spring frosts can destroy flowers resulting in crop loss. It is tolerant of fairly saline water.
The fruit is the largest native fruit of North America (weighing up to 300 grams) and develops in autumn. When fully ripe the fruit skin is dark brown or almost black. The soft creamy fruits are said to have the flavour of banana custard and are delicious eaten raw. They can be dried and are also used for making preserves, pies, puddings and desserts. The yellow fruiting varieties are said to be superior to the white. Nutritionally, the fruit comprises carbohydrate -16.8% (of this, 16% is sucrose, 35% reducing sugars and 52% reducing sugars after inversion), protein - 5.2%, fat - 0.9%, ash - 0.5%, water - 76.6%. Handling the fruit can cause skin rashes on some people. Pigs and poultry are reported to not eat the fruit.
The wood is light (specific gravity of 0.3969), spongy, coarse grained, weak and of little value, although it had been used in local construction in the pioneer years. The inner bark was stripped from the branches in the early spring and made into a string which was used to manufacture fishing nets, fishing lines and rope.
The seeds contain a colourless and tasteless alkaloid called asimine, which acts on the brain of animals causing somnolence then stupor and finally unconsciousness. It also has emetic properties. The bark contains the alkaloid analobine and was once used in medicine.
The plant can be grown from seed which needs stratification. Given the wide natural occur-rence of the plant in the wild, it would probably pay to try to match seed source conditions to local environment. Germination seems to occur best in very warm conditions. The seedlings are usually planted out while dormant, when they reach 300 mm, although some advocate direct sowing the seed. There may be a root associate which promotes fast and healthy growth, but as yet this has not been isolated. Cultivars exist and the plant is readily grafted and also grows from root cuttings and layering. Fruiting seems to benefit from cross - pollination.