Handbook of Teees of the Nortuebx States and Can 



!17 



Only uinliT iiio^t favorable eoiiditions does 

 the Papaw attain llie lieiglit of 30 or 40 ft. 

 and is often only a large slirub. Its trunk is 

 rarely more tluui from S-12 iir in diameter, 

 tliouuli 1 liave seen it irieasurini;- IS in. It com- 

 monly grows in tliieket, ocrn|iying lln' yronml 

 exclusively, and is snmetiines scattered as 

 an undergrowth in the forests of ricli bottom- 

 hnds. When isidatcd it ileveloiis a distinct 

 pyramidal head. The bark of the trunk is of 

 a dark bi-own color, thin and quite smooth, 

 or sparingly fissured ou old trunks. 



The handsome foliage of tlie Papaw, its 

 beautiful Ihiwcrs in early spring, and its curi- 

 ous fruit in autumn, strongly recommend it 

 for ornamental planting. The fruit when very 

 ripe is delicious and nutritious and sold in 

 considerable quantities in local ir.arkets in 

 regions where the trees abound. 



The light wood, of which a cubic foot weighs 

 24.73 lbs., is of handsome greenish and yellow 

 tints wlien freshly cut. but is of no commercial 

 importance. The llbious iinuu' bjvk was for- 

 merly used for making cord for fish nets.i 



Lrorcs lance-obovate, 8-12 in. lon,i;;, cimcntc at 

 hasp, abruptly acuminate or ai'etr at aiicx. i^lahrons 

 l.i,?ht green aliovc. paler lirnraili. Flunirx ap- 

 pearing with the Iravcs. ilark puvplr. 1 r_, in. 

 acros.s, with riist.v lomeutesi' peduneh's ; sepals 

 liroad-ovatp. densely darli-tomentose ; petals at 

 first small and green Init finally purple when fully 

 grown and L' or :-: tiiui's as loni;- as Ih.' sepals. 

 DPctiferons at base. I'nnt cylinilrieal-eblr,n,?, uh 

 lifiue, 3-."i in. lone, single nr rlnstcn'cl 2 or :: 

 tojrether with common leMleurir. wiih smooth 

 yellowish Ei'cfn rind, custard-lilo' fra;;rant luscious 

 flesh and oblon;: seeds ahnul- 1 in. iong.- 



1. A. \\., IV, 76, 



