OF Ohio 



75 



PAPAW 



Asimina triloba, Dunal 



THE Papaw is a dainty tree rarely exceeding 30 feet in 

 height. A mere glance at its broad leaves suggests that 

 it has escaped from the tropics and its fruit resembles a 

 stubby banana. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, 4 to 12 inches long, thin 

 in texture, short- 

 pointed, long taper- 

 ing at base, smooth 

 on margin. 



The flowers are 

 large, 1 to 1 ^ inches 

 wide, solitary, at first 

 green, later reddish, 

 occur below leaves, 

 are borne on short 

 stalks. 



The fruit suggests 

 a stubby banana, 3 

 to 5 inches long, at 

 first green, yellowish 

 to dark brown when 

 ripe, contains many 

 dark brown shiny 

 flat seeds throughout 

 the flesh. It is edible. 



The bark is thin, 

 smooth, dark brown, 

 often dotted with 

 light blotches. The 

 twigs are rather slen- 

 der, smooth, olive 

 brown, enlarged at 

 nodes. The buds are 

 brown, naked, hairy. 

 Terminal bud is large and flattened. Flower buds are round, 

 1/6 of an inch in diameter, very hairy, dark brown. 



The wood is soft, weak, yellowish to brown. It is not 

 used commercially. 



The Papaw is found from western New York and New 

 Jersey, south to Florida and west to Michigan and Texas. 

 This tree occurs locally in northern Ohio, and becomes com- 

 mon in the southern part of the State, where it locally forms 

 thickets on waste areas. This tree deserves to be planted 

 ornamentally because of its tropical leaves, unique flowers, 

 and peculiar fruit. 



PAPAW 



One-foarth natural size. 

 Twig section and bud, enlarged. 



