Uses
Toxic parts
The seed contains a toxic alkaloid and is poisonous[1][2]. The leaves can cause dermatitis in a small number of sensitive people[3][2]. Other reports say that handling the fruit can cause dermatitis[4][5].
Edible uses
Notes
Edible fruit - raw or cooked[6][7][8][9][10][11]. A very good size, it can be up to 16cm long and 4cm wide[12][4]. Of variable quality, some forms (with orange skins) are exquisite with the flavour of banana custard whilst others (with yellow, white or dark brown skins) can be unpleasant[13][14][15]. Another report says that the white fruits are mildly flavoured and later ripening than the orange fruits[5]. The fruit can also be used for making preserves, pies, ice cream and other sweet desserts[15]. The fruit falls from the tree in autumn and is then stored until fully ripe[5]. The fruit can cause gastro-intestinal upsets for some people[2].
Fruit
Material uses
A fibre from the inner bark is used for making strong rope and string[16][12][5][17]. The seed has insecticidal properties[3]. A yellow dye is made from the ripe flesh of the fruit[18]. Wood - light, soft, weak, spongy, coarse grained[12]. It weighs 24lb per cubic foot[5]. It is not used commercially[18].
Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The fruit is used as a laxative[3]. The leaves are diuretic[3]. They are applied externally to boils, ulcers and abscesses[19][3]. The seed contains the alkaline asiminine, which is emetic and narcotic[3][5]. They have been powdered and applied to hair to kill lice[3]. The bark is a bitter tonic[19]. It contains the alkaline analobine, which is used medicinally[5].
Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[20]. Stored seed requires stratification, it has embryo dormancy and an impermeable seedcoat and can take up to 18 months to germinate[21][20]. Dried seed quickly loses its viability. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for t least their first winter. If trying them outdoors, plant them into their permanent positions in early summer once the plants are more than 15cm tall. Consider giving them some protection from winter cold for their first winter outdoors. Layering.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Asimina triloba. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Prefers a rich loamy soil with plenty of moisture and a sunny position[22][20][23]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c according to one report[24], whilst another says that they are hardy to -35°c when fully dormant[23]. The papaw produces a delicious edible fruit which is a potentially commercial crop[16]. The wild-collected fruit is often sold in local markets in America[12]. The tree commences bearing in 4 - 6 years from seed and yields up to 30 kilos per tree[23]. There are some named varieties[15]. The mature fruit is rarely seen in Britain[25], only ripening after a long hot summer[4]. A small tree growing against a south-facing wall at Bristol Botanical Gardens had a small crop of immature fruit in early September 1996 (following the hot summer of 1995) - this was the first time it had been seen to bear fruit[K]. Flowers are formed in the leaf axils of wood produced the previous summer[12][18]. Established plants resent root disturbance, the best plants are obtained by planting them out into their permanent positions as young as possible though young plants should be given some protection for their first year or two[4]. The leaves emit a heavy unpleasant odour when crushed[12][18]. Plants are untroubled by pests or diseases[23].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Asimina triloba. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Asimina triloba.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
"image:Asimina triloba - pawpaw - desc-flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
- ? Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-01-01)
- ? 2.02.12.22.3 Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-01-01)
- ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.8 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-01-01)
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-01-01)
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.85.9 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-01-01)
- ? 6.06.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-01-01)
- ? 7.07.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-01-01)
- ? 8.08.18.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-01-01)
- ? 9.09.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-01-01)
- ? 10.010.1 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-01-01)
- ? 11.011.1 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-01-01)
- ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.612.7 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-01-01)
- ? 13.013.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
- ? 14.014.1 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-01-01)
- ? 15.015.115.215.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-01-01)
- ? 16.016.116.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-01-01)
- ? 17.017.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-01-01)
- ? 18.018.118.218.318.4 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-01-01)
- ? 19.019.119.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-01-01)
- ? 20.020.120.2 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-01-01)
- ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-01-01)
- ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-01-01)
- ? 23.023.123.223.3 Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
- ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-01-01)
- ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-01-01)
-
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