Davis Pawpaw

Asimina triloba (ah-SIH-mi-nah try-LO-bah)

Family: Annonaceae Unknown Understory (15-40 ft)

The Davis pawpaw is a hybrid of the American pawpaw in the custard apple family (Annonaceae). it was found in the wild in Michigan and selected by Corwin Davis for its abundance of tasty fruit. The tree grows 12 to 15 feet tall and is grafted to a rootstock. Plant the Davis pawpaw in full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile, well-drained soils. You will need to plant at least one other variety for cross-pollination. See this NC State article for more information on growing pawpaws. The flowers bloom in mid-spring, and the fruit ripens in late September to early October. It is one of the earliest ripening varieties. The fruit is yellow-green to brownish with yellow flesh that combines a fruity, banana-like flavor with creamy, custard-like flesh. Pawpaw does well in naturalized, riparian, or woodland areas. It is a flowering tree that attracts butterflies, pollinators, small mammals, and songbirds, which makes pawpaw a good addition to a butterfly, pollinator, or rain garden. It is an easy-to-grow fruit tree for children's gardens . Quick ID Hints: Leaves produce a distinctive odor when crushed (similar to green bell peppers). Leaves large, alternate and distichous; they turn yellow in fall. Bark is smooth with wart-like lenticels Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. The pawpaw peduncle borer ( Talponia plummeriana ) is a small moth whose larvae burrow into flower stalks. They can destroy large numbers of flowers. This pest is in NC. The zebra swallowtail butterfly larvae feed on young leaves, but they seldom do permanent damage, nor do they affect fruit yield. Trees can produce root suckers, which can be troublesome in the landscape. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Asimina triloba .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 68 attributes.