300 



Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



It has been planted in Southern California, but has not become established, 

 having proved too tender for this climate. By obtaining the hardiest varieties from 

 the Mexican highlands it may be possible to successfully grow it in favored local- 

 ities. Dr. Franceschi believes it was first planted in this state about 20 years ago, 

 having come from Florida. 



Asimina triloba Dunal 



United States, as far north as New York, and west to Michigan and Kansas ; 

 Mexico, south to the state of Jalisco. 



Known as "Papaw" in the United States; ''Anonillo" in Mexico. 



A tree thirty to forty feet in height. The leaves obovate or oblong, acute, six 

 to twelve inches long. Flowers 2 inches broad, purplish red. 



Fruit oblong, two to six inches in length. Skin yellowish green, covered with 

 a whitish bloom. The fruit greatly resembles the banana in its lack of acid and its 

 fine grained pulp, but is of a peculiar and distinctive flavor. The pulp is light 

 yellow in color, and contains two rows of seeds extending the length of the fruit. 



The Papaw is occasionally found in cultivation, and has proved hardy as far 

 north as Ontario. It is the hardiest of the anonaceous fruits, and the only one 

 found in cold climates. Among the wild trees seedlings of superior quality are 

 occasionally found, and the fruit could doubtless be greatly improved by selection. 

 It offers a wide field for hybridization with other less hardy anonaceous fruits, 

 and should also prove of value as a stock upon which to graft the more tender 

 Anonas and Rollinias. 



The Papaw was planted at Goleta, Santa Barbara County, many years ago by 

 Joseph Sexton, one of California's pioneer nurserymen, but failed to establish 

 itself. Repeated attempts to grow it were made, but with no success, due, as Mr. 

 Sexton believes, to the hot and dry summers. Further attempts to grow it should 

 be made, especially in cool and moist mountain canyons, where it should feel at 

 home. Its greatest value probably lies, however, in the possibility of obtaining 

 hybrids with other anonaceous fruits, or as a stock for them. 



Rollinia emarginata Schlecht. 

 Brazil, Paraguay, and the northern part of Argentina. 



"Aratacu-quatu." This is a small bush growing here in the open campo in 

 almost any soil. The fruit is large and the best class of all, according to my 

 thinking, — T, R. Gwynn. 



Recently introduced, under S. P. I. No. 27610. 



Rollinia orthopetala A. DC. 



Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. ''Biriha." 



A tree, thirty to forty feet in height. Leaves oblong, acuminate, acute at 

 the base, corolla one inch in diameter, greenish yellow. 



Fruit size of an infant's head, greenish yellow. The flesh white and sweet. 



Described by Prof. C. F. Baker as "the finest anonaceous fruit of tropical 

 America." 



"This is, as Prof. Baker wrote, the finest anonaceous fruit of tropical America. 

 It is the only one of those which I have tasted that I liked, and on first trial I 

 immediately pronounced it delicious. The seeds are embedded in a large quantity 

 of pulp, which is of a custard-like consistency and of a very agreeable acidulous 

 taste. I do not know what fruit it resembles most in taste." — Fischer. 



Introduced under S. P. I. Nos. 22512 and 27609. Rather tender, but may 

 succeed in favored localities, where it is now being tested. 



