Handbook of Trees of the Nortiieen States and Canada. 217 



Only under most favorable conditions does 

 the Papaw attain the height of 30 or 40 ft. 

 and is often only a large shrub. Its trunk is 

 rarely more than from 8-12 in. in diameter, 

 though I have seen it measuring 18 in. It com- 

 monly grows in thickets occupying the ground 

 exclusivelj', and is sometimes scattered as 

 an undergrowth in the forests of fich bottom- 

 lands. When isolated it develops a distinct 

 pyramidal head. The bark of the trunk is of 

 a dark brown color, thin and quite smooth, 

 or sparingly fissured on old trunks. 



The handsome foliage of the Papaw, its 

 beautiful fiowers 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 markets 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 when freshlj' cut, but is of no commercial 

 importance. The fibrous inner bark w-as for- 

 merly used for making cord for fish nets.i 



Leaves lance-obovate, 8-12 In. long, cuneate at 

 base, abruptlj' acuminate or acute at apex, glabrous 

 I-igbt green above, paler beneatli. Floicers ap- 

 pearing with the leaves, dark purple, IV2 in. 

 acz'oss, with rusty tomentose peduncles ; sepals 

 broad-ovate, densely dark-tomentose ; petals at 

 first small and green but finally purple when fully 

 grown and 2 or .3 times as long as the sepals, 

 nectiferous at base. Fruit cylindrical-oblong, ob- 

 lique, .'i-S in. long, single or clusterecl 2 or 3 

 together with common peduncle, with smooth 

 yellowish green rind, custard-like fragrant luscious 

 flesh and oblong seeds about 1 in. long." 



1. A. W., IV, 76. 



2. For genus see p. 435. 



