The Papaws 



101 



THE PAPAWS 



The papaws {Asiniina) belong to a large tropical or sub- tropical family. Six 

 species are known. In North America one reaches tree size and extends as 

 far north as southern Ontario, the others are shrubs and found in the southern 

 Atlantic and Gulf states of the United States. They are of no commercial im- 

 portance. 



ASIMINA TRILOBA, Dunal PAPAW 



Common names: Papaw, custard apple, false banana, jasmine*. 

 French names: Faux-bananier, jasminier*. 



In Canada the papaw is confined to the townships in southern Ontario border- 

 ing on lake Erie, where it grows on deep, moist soils. It is not very common and 

 when found is usually in the form of a shrub, although under favourable conditions 



PAPAW 

 A . /T/'/oda 



r~^ 



further south it gets to be 30 ft. tall. For the most part it forms the undergrowth 

 in rich woodlands. 



The bark is smooth, shiny, dark brown, and blotched with gre)^ spots. The 

 inner bark is fibrous and tough. The twigs are slender and spreading, tinged with 

 red, and marked with little grooves running lengthwise. The winter buds are 

 small, brown, hairy and slightly tapered at the top. 



