Woody > Asimina > Asimina triloba > Asimina triloba
Asimina triloba
Common Pawpaw or Custard Apple
Origin: Southeastern United States.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A plant that should not be planted for its form but more the uniqueness of the species. The fruit are unusual and edible and is a member of a tropical family that is rare in Ontario.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Annonaceae |
| Genus |
| Asimina |
| Species |
| triloba |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 4a - 8a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H3 - H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -34 - (-1) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30 - 30 |
| Height |
| 7 m |
| Spread |
| 5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
click to expand
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A medium size tree with large dull leaves and a drooping form. |
| Cultivation |
| Moist rich soils. |
| Shape |
| Droopy. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| Its somewhat drooping form, as if the plant is in wilt, is easily identifiable with Asimina. Leaves are a dull, light green and if found in fruit there is no other plant like it, the fruit being greenish yellow and about 12 cm long, often of varied shapes. |
| Pests |
| Few known problems unless culturally related. |
| Habitat |
| Found locally in most rich, sheltered isolated locations in South Western Ontario. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| At maturity is a dark grey/brown with light scaling. When young the bark is often smooth and dark brown with light scaling. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Naked terminal buds which are dark brown. |
| Leaf Description |
| Alternate arrangement, 15-30 cm long, obovate, dark green above with pubescence on the underside of the leaf veins. |
| Flower Description |
| Flowers are about 5 cm across and are a rich deep purple. Flowering in late April to mid-May-June. |
| Fruit Description |
| Irregular shaped from 5-15 cm long, covered in a dull light grey bloom, turning a yellow upon ripening. Edible. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark green leaves turning to a dull yellow in autumn. |
| Texture Description |
| A somewhat coarse and ungainly small tree that needs a little corrective pruning when planted in the cultured landscape. |
| Notable Specimens |
| In the village of St. Davids, Ontario, Canada, just west of the main intersection on the North side of the road. Ridgetown College, Ontario, Canada. The A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| Stratify seed in moist peat moss for a minimum of 60 days at 5°C. |
top