CUSTARD APPLE FAMILY 81 



flowering at Christmas in the southern part of the 

 peninsula. 



The oblong yellowish fruit, an inch or two in length, is 

 edible, so much so, in fact, that it is not easily found, as 

 insects and small animals are quick to devour it. The 

 larger fruit of a hardier papaw, A. triloba, a small tree 

 of this genus, is sold in several of the southern and 

 central states. 



An exotic species of this family, the climbing ylang- 

 ylang, Artabotrys, with very fragrant flowers and peculiar 

 fruit, is sometimes planted in southern Florida. 



Asimina reticulata. Flowers white, about 2 in. long at ma- 

 turity, solitary from axils of leaves of preceding year, appear- 

 ing before leaves. Petals 6, in two series. Shrub 1-3 ft. 

 tall. Leaves oblong, leathery, 1-4 in. long. Pinelands. 

 Blooming in winter and spring. Fla. 



Asimina parviflora. Flowers purple, nearly ^2 in. long, 

 appearing before leaves. Leaves broadened upward, pointed, 

 2-6 in. long. Shrub 2-6 ft. tall. Sandy soil. Blooming in 

 spring. Fla. to N. C. 



Asimina angustifolia. Flowers white or yellowish white, 

 2 in. long. Shrub 1-3 ft. tall. Leaves narrow, 2-8 in. long, 

 appearing before flowers. Pinelands. Blooming in spring 

 and summer. Fla. and Ga. 



Asimina obovata. Flowers white, large, terminating 

 branchlets. Outer petals sometimes 3 in. long and 2 in. 

 wide. Shrub 2-8 ft. tall. Leaves broadened upward, 2-4 in. 

 long, appearing before flowers. Pinelands. Blooming in 

 late winter and spring. Fla. 



Asimina pygmaea. Flowers 1 in. or more long, changing 

 from greenish white to dark reddish purple. Stems 1-3 ft. 

 tall, sometimes nearly prostrate. Leaves oblong or broad- 

 ened upward, 2-6 in. long, appearing before flowers. Pine- 

 lands. Blooming in spring and summer. Fla. 



Ponb-Apple. Alligator Apple {Annona glabra) 



This large relative of the papaws is an evergreen tree, 

 with oval or oblong pointed leaves, yellowish white flowers 



