The American Pawpaw

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

Introduction

Asimina triloba, the American papaw, pawpaw, among many regional names, is a species of small deciduous tree. The tree's scientific name comes from the Powhatan word Asimina, which a Jamestown settler transcribed in 1612 as "wheat plum".

The plant

It has large leaves and produces a large, yellowish green to brown fruit. Fresh fruits of the pawpaw are commonly eaten raw, either chilled or at room temperature. However, they can be kept only 2–3 days at room temperature. This short shelf-life, is a primary barrier to the success of pawpaw as a commercial fruit.

Where are they from ?

The species is native to eastern North America, in a more temperate range than its tropical relatives. It is a patch-forming understory tree of hardwood forests. It prefers well-drained, deep, fertile bottomland and also hilly upland habitat.

What pawpaw tastes like

The flavor is often described as a combination of mango, banana, and pineapple, with a creamy texture like custard. The flavor can become richer and more caramelly as the fruit ripens.

What to know before eating

Do not eat the seeds or skin, as they are not good for you. Use caution when cooking as some people report stomach discomfort from cooked pawpaw. If you bake with it, be cautious and consider long cooking methods like jam a last resort.

While pawpaws have a long history of safe consumption, a few sources mention a very rare connection between large consumption and certain neurological diseases, so moderation is key.

How to eat pawpaw

The fruit should feel soft when squeezed, like a ripe peach, and have a sweet, fruity smell. The skin is typically green even when ripe. Cut the fruit lengthwise with a knife and twist the halves apart. Use a spoon to scoop out the custard-like, yellow flesh.

The fruit contains large, smooth, inedible seeds that should be spit out or pressed out with a spoon.

Toxicity

Yes, pawpaw can be toxic, though the fruit pulp is generally safe to eat in moderation. Eating high amounts are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Caused directly by annonacin, a substance that is toxic to cortical neurons. The bark, leaves, and skin of the pawpaw plant are also considered poisonous.

The toxins in the bark, leaves, and twigs are known to cause skin irritation - similar to poison ivy. The sap can also cause a reaction. Do not eat unripe fruit as it can contain high levels of latex.

Ok – so may be just one !

Pests

None. Imagine that !

We can get you one !

It’s a small tree and will fit anywhere !

PLANT SPECIALISTS

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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REFRESHING THE SOIL OF POTTED PLANTS