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  Asimina triloba3.jpg    Asimina triloba kz1.jpg Asimina triloba - pawpaw - desc-flower.jpg  Asimina triloba2.jpg    Asimina triloba autumn 2011.jpg

 

NAME: Paw Paw

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Asimina Triloba / Annonaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): 

CONDITIONS: partial shade
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

  

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

        

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

        

Flowers

 

 

 

 

Fruits

banana/mango

RAW/COOK

Sep

Pods

  

 

    

Seeds

 

 

 

 

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: medium

 

COMMENT:  Generally delicious. Tastes like a banana/mango pudding. // Edible fruit - raw or cooked. Size of a russet potato. 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. Another report says that the white fruits are mildly flavoured and later ripening than the orange fruits. The fruit can also be used for making preserves, pies, ice cream and other sweet desserts. The fruit falls from the tree in autumn and is then stored until fully ripe. The fruit can cause gastro-intestinal upsets for some people.(1)
 

CAUTION: I do know of one person who developed an allergy to pawpaws. // The seed contains a toxic alkaloid and is poisonous. The leaves can cause dermatitis in a small number of sensitive people. Other reports say that handling the fruit can cause dermatitis.(1)

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Antiemetic;  Diuretic;  Emetic;  Laxative;  Narcotic;  Parasiticide.(1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES:  Dye;  Fibre;  Insecticide;  Parasiticide;  Wood. A fibre from the inner bark is used for making strong rope and string. The seed has insecticidal properties. A yellow dye is made from the ripe flesh of the fruit.(1)

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Asimina+triloba
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/pawpawpanache-2
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asimina_triloba
  4. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2005/09/pawpaw.html (good photos)
  5. https://www.wanderingeducators.com/best/stories/how-forage-cook-eat-pawpaws.html
  6. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2011/09/29/140894570/the-pawpaw-foraging-for-americas-forgotten-fruit
  7. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/food/pawpaws-north-america-largest-native-fruit-recipe-20180920.html
  8. https://www.wideopeneats.com/appalachian-banana-pawpaw
  9. http://www.botanicalartspress.com/blog/tag/pawpaw+recipe
  10. https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/09/what-are-pawpaws-wild-fruit-midwest-how-to-prep-and-eat-pawpaws.html