of New York 



85 



PAPAW 



Asimina triloba, Dunal 



THE PAPAW is a dainty tree rarely exceeding 30 feet in 

 height. A mere glance at the tree in summer suggests 

 that it has escaped from the tropics, for its leaves are truly 

 tropical and its fruit resembles a stubby banana. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, 4 to 1 2 inches long, thin 

 in texture, short-point- 

 ed, long - tapering at 

 base, smooth on margin. 



The flowers are large, 

 1 to lj/j inches wide, 

 solitary, at first green, 

 later reddish. 



The fruit suggests a 

 stubby banana, 3 to 5 

 inches long, at first 

 green, yellowish to dark 

 brown when ripe, con- 

 tains many dark-brown 

 shiny flat seeds scattered 

 throughout flesh. The 

 fruit is edible. 



The bark is thin, 

 smooth, dark - brown, 

 often dotted with light 

 blotches. The twigs are 

 rather slender, smooth, 

 olive-brown, enlarged at 

 nodes. The buds are 

 brown, naked, hairy. 

 Terminal bud is large 

 and flattened. Flo w e r 

 buds are round, one- 

 sixth of an inch in di- 

 ameter, very hairy, dark-brown. The wood is soft, weak, 

 yellowish to brown. Not used commercially. 



The Papaw is found from western New York and New 

 Jersey south to Florida and west to Michigan and Texas. 

 In New York this tree is found from Monroe county south- 

 ward and westward in low grounds and along streams. This 

 tree is of no commercial value on account of the wood it pro- 

 duces, but it deserves to be planted ornamentally because of 

 its tropical leaves, unique flowers, and peculiar fruit. 



PAPAW 



One-fourth natural size. 



Twig section and bud, enlarged. 



