ANONACEAE 



CUSTARD APPLE FAMILY 



COMMON PAWPAW 



As'tm'ina triloba Dunal 



The Custard Apple family is mostly tropical and its 

 only member in this climate is the Common Pawpaw, 

 Apparently there are two varieties of Pawpaw, one with 

 white pulp and one 

 with yellow. The yel- 

 low pulp is regarded as 

 the more palatable and 

 possibly this form may 

 be so improved under 

 cultivation that the 

 fruits will be of eco- 

 nomic importance. 

 The Common Pawpaw 

 does not extend much 

 north of Illinois but does 

 grow in southern Michi- 

 gan, east to New Jersey 

 and south to Florida and 

 Texas. It is a tall shrub 

 or small tree 10-40 feet 

 high, frequenting rich soil 

 on the banks of streams. 



The dark purple or maroon flowers may be 

 looked for from the last of April to the early part 

 of June. There are 3 sepals which are rather small 

 and densely hairy. The 6 floral parts shown are 

 petals, the 3 outer much larger than the inner. Stamens are 

 numerous and packed into a globular mass. There are usually 

 not more than 4 pistils. L^ 



The fruits, which mature in September and October, are 

 classed as fleshy berries but they are 3-6 inches long and 1-2 

 inches in diameter, yellowish green or brownish when ripe and 

 containing numerous large flat seeds arranged in 2 rows. 



The pools are clear as glass 

 Between the white cups of the lily flowers ; 

 The currants are like jewelled fairy bowers ; 

 A dazzling insect worries the heart of a rose, 

 Where a delicate fern a filmy shadow throws. 

 And airv as bubbles the thousands of bees 

 Over the voung grape clusters swarm as they please. 



Midsummer Blooms WitJiin Our Quiet Garden Wans — 



Emile Verhaeren 



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