234 Eleventh Annual Report 



thrifty trees is almost white which gave rise to the name of ''white 

 poplar" and ''hickory poplar" to distinguish it from the trees of 

 slower growth with a greater percentage of heart wood. It is used 

 for lumber, siding, shelving and excelsior. The inner bark is used 

 in medicine as a stimulant and tonic. 



Horticultural value. It grows rapidly, tall and with short side 

 branches. Its beautiful foliage, the large, fragrant flowers and the 

 fruit on the leafless branches in winter recommend it for shade tree 

 purposes and it is being used more each year for this purpose. It 

 is practically free from insects and fungous diseases. Experiments 

 in growing this tree indicate that it is one of the best trees for re- 

 inforcing woodlots and other forest planting. It is propagated by 

 planting seedlings, and little difficulty will be experienced if seed- 

 lings about .5 m. (18 inches) high are planted. 



ANONACE^. The Custard Apple Family. 

 ASIMINA. The Pawpaw. 



Asimina triloba (Linnaeus) Dunal. Pawpaw. Yellow Pawpaw. 

 White Pawpaw. Recently called the Hoosier banana. Plate 72. 

 Bark smooth, somewhat ridged on very old trees; branchlets red- 

 dish-brown, hairy, becoming smooth; buds sharp-pointed, covered 

 with hairs; leaves obovate, some narrowly so, sharp-pointed, wedge- 

 shaped at base, 1-3 dm. (4-12 inches) long, green above, paler be- 

 neath, hairy when expanding, soon glabrous except on the veins 

 beneath; petioles 5-10 mm. {}/i-}/2 inch) long; flowers appear be- 

 fore or with the leaves, drooping; sepals 3, green; petals 6, maroon 

 color; flowering season March or April; fruit begins to ripen about 

 September 1st., 7-13 cm. (23/2-5 inches) long, light green, pulp 

 white or yellow, with a few large, dark brown, flattened seeds. 



Distribution. Southern Ontario east to eastern Pennsylvania, 

 south to the Gulf States and west to eastern Nebraska, Kansas 

 and Texas. Found in all parts of Indiana, though most frequently 

 in the southern part. It is usually found in colonies in moist rich 

 soil and most frequently associated with the beech and sugar maple. 



A shrub or tree, sometimes attaining a height of 15 m. (48 feet) 

 and a diameter of 2 dm. (8 inches). Prof. Stanley Coulter says: 

 "Two forms, not separated botanically are associated in our area. 

 They differ in time of flowering, in size, shape, color and flavor of 

 the fruit, in leaf shape, venation and odor and in color of the bark. 

 They are of constant popular recognition and are probably sepa- 

 rate species, never seeming to intergrade." (Report of the Indiana 

 State Geologist, 1899, page 745.) 



