November Tree of the Month-Pawpaw
What happens when someone with four paws, finds a pawpaw?
The Lewis and Clark expedition first brought pawpaw, Asimina triloba, to the attention of the early European settlers. Historians state the expedition’s famished men got by on pawpaws when food became scarce. Of course, Native Americans knew about all the positive attributes of the tree, from bark fibers used to weave nets to the edible fruits. The zebra swallowtail butterfly lays its eggs only on pawpaw leaves, making it a great choice for native or edible gardens. The leaves turn a handsome gold in fall.
In the wild, pawpaws can be either a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that can grow up to 30′, but usually in the smaller range of under 20′. The large, simple leaves are almost tropical-looking, up to 6-12″ long, and emit a scent when bruised or crushed. Maroon/brown flowers bloom in early spring, and since flies pollinate them, they smell a bit like rotten meat. The yellow fruit ripens in fall and, once picked, only lasts 2-3 days, which is the main reason paw paws aren’t found at your local grocery store. The flavor is described as a cross between banana and custard.
In the wild or in your garden, the tree spreads slowly to form small colonies or thickets in moisture-rich ravines or valleys and along streams. Pawpaw is an understory tree, so pawpaws prefer shade to part-shade when young. Older trees will tolerate more sun as long as ample moisture is provided.
What I love about this plant:
-It’s native!
-Small size perfect for smaller gardens
-Edible fruit is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, and healthy fats and is the only fruit with all the amino acids. (Some allergic reactions have been reported; See below.)
-Host plant for the zebra swallowtail.
-Golden fall color.
-Unique history.
-Asimina extract has been used experimentally in cancer therapy with positive results.
What’s not so great:
-The suckering is minimal compared to other suckering woody plants but can be a nuisance in a small garden or landscape setting.
-Although Lewis and Clark reportedly survived on pawpaw fruit during their expedition, some experts think that a few members of the expedition suffered allergic reactions from the fruit, and those reports continue to this day. If you are trying pawpaw fruit for the first time, watch for the warning signs like;
- Skin: Skin rash, itching, swelling, especially around the lips and tongue
- Respiratory: Sneezing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Pollen: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy, watering eyes, coughing
- Severe: Difficulty breathing, rashes, or anaphylactic shock.
Check out this video from Missouri Department of Conservation to learn how to process pawpaw fruit:
Words and photos by Jo Batzer. Additional photos graciously provided by Dan Billman
