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Asimina triloba

Asimina triloba

Papaw, pawpaw, paw paw, paw-paw

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Description

Asimina triloba (Papaw, pawpaw, paw paw, paw-paw) comes from the South Eastern USA where it grows in small stands. Associated trees are Aesculus glabra, Gleditsia triacanthos, Gymnocladus dioica and Nyssa sylvatica. The pawpaw was described as early as 1541 by Spanish botanist and explorer Hernando de Soto but it is only recently that this tree has gained broader attention because it is frequently planted in food forests. Asimina triloba forms a large deciduous shrub or small tree nine to twelve metres tall, often with a single trunk and a dense egg-shaped crown four to six metres wide.

A distinctive feature of the pawpaw is its strongly pendulous leaf which gives the tree a tropical look. The obovate leaf, which is up to thirty centimetres long, emerges bright green and changes to a matt green in summer, and releases a scent when bruised. In the autumn the leaf changes to a stunning golden yellow. Asimina triloba blooms from February to May according to the latitude of planting site but always before budding out. Only a low proportion of the small but striking brown bell-shaped flowers develop into fruit. The unique fruits ripen in July to September, are edible and taste of a blend of mango and banana. The bark on juvenile plants is smooth but peels superficially.

Asimina triloba is found on wooded slopes, along creeks and in flood plains of rivers on soils that are nutrient-rich and moist where the tree can develop deep roots. In cultivation, this tree has proved its worth on all soil types provided the soil is rich, moist and not too chalky. The pawpaw can tolerate full sun as it matures but as a juvenile the tree is sensitive to full sun and wind owing to its natural habitat in shrub layers in woods, and, therefore, a protected site is preferable. With its tropical appearance, wonderful yellow autumn colour and edible fruits, Asimina triloba makes a fine addition to parks, large and small gardens, central reservations and food forests.

Types of planting

Tree types

multi-stemmed trees solitary shrubs

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden small garden cemetery

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

food forest shade-tolerant

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

9 - 12 m

Width

4 - 6 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 10A

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun partial shade shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

birds small mammals humans

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Asimina triloba? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Asimina triloba standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Asimina triloba standard tree
shrub solitary shrubs
Asimina triloba solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Asimina triloba solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Asimina triloba solitary shrubs
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
flowers flowers
Asimina triloba flowers
leaves leaves
Asimina triloba leaves
leaves leaves
Asimina triloba leaves
leaves leaves
Asimina triloba leaves
leaves leaves
Asimina triloba leaves
leaves leaves
Asimina triloba leaves
fruits fruits
Asimina triloba fruits
fruits fruits
Asimina triloba fruits
fruits fruits
Asimina triloba fruits
fruits fruits
Asimina triloba fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Asimina triloba autumn leaves
bark bark
Asimina triloba bark
bark bark
Asimina triloba bark
bark bark
Asimina triloba bark
twigs twigs
Asimina triloba twigs

Flowers

Flowers

bell-shaped pendulous small scented

Flower colour

brown brown-violet

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

green

Leaves

deciduous obovate big narrow pendant polished scented with contusion

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

yellow-green

Fruits

striking edible large frosty aromatic berry

Bark

Bark colour

dark brown

Bark

slightly furrowed smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

olive green

Twigs

bare with lenticels horizontal branches

Root system

Root system

extensive tap root root suckers

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness zone
OK
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OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
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m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
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OK
Autumn colour
OK
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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