Asimina triloba 'Allegheny'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SIH-min-ah try-LO-buh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Pawpaw, is a native, understory deciduous tree in the Annonaceae family. It typically appears in a cluster in alluvial, or other moist, nutrient-rich forests. The cultivar, 'Allegheny', is noted for its vigorous growth and large fruit that can weigh in at 8 ozs with sweet, early-ripening, creamy yellow flesh.
Plant in average moist, well-drained soils in a mostly sunny location. They will tolerate some shade but will produce less fruit. Mulching the soil will keep the roots cool and moist and regular fertilization will result in the best fruit set. They will grow quickly to 20 feet tall and wide. Pruning the trees to a height of 10 to 12 feet and removing suckers will keep them at a manageable size for harvesting fruits.
The large green leaves lend to a tropical feel and the bark is smooth with wart-like lenticels. The burgundy flowers that appear in spring are not particularly showy and are pollinated by flies and hence have an unpleasant odor. 'Allegeny' produces a sweet edible fruit that matures earlier than other pawpaws in late summer. To obtain cross pollination, plant more than one genetically different pawpaw within 15 feet of each other. Hand pollination can lead to heavy fruit set.
Wildlife eagerly seek out the fruits and often beat humans to the harvest.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known disease or insect issues. The pawpaw tree produces self-defensive compounds so that insect pests are usually not a problem.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asimina
- Species:
- triloba
- Family:
- Annonaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Early Americans made yellow dye from pulp of the ripened fruit.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Washington south to New Mexico, Nebraska, Iowa. Parts of Wisconsin, Michigan east to Maine, south to North Carolina and Florida.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are pollinated by flies and beetles. Edible flesh fruit eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, black bear, and foxes. This plant supports Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) larvae.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to fire. Moderately resistant to deer damage. Heat tolerant.
- Edibility:
- Allegheny pawpaw is a early ripening heavy bearing tree that produces creamy sweet small fruit. Thinning would help to bar larger fruit. Mature fruits have a banana custard with a hint of citrus flavor. Raw berries can be eaten in small quantities but can cause stomach/skin irritation in some people.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Allegheny pawpaw is a heavy bearing tree that produces sweet small fruit. Thinning would help to bar larger fruit. Early ripening.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The burgundy flowers bloom in spring, but are not showy. Monoecious purplish-brown 6 petal 1-1.5 inch flowers. Foul odor as they are pollinated by flies.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- It features alternate, simple, oblong green leaves. 6-12 inches long 2-3 inches wide with a green pepper odor when crushed. Droops from the stem. Looks compound but is actually simple. Underside is pale and glaucous. Showy yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Lenticels
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Smooth, brown splotched with wart-like lenticels. Becomes fissured and scaly with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- No scales, covered in hair
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Corky Ridges
- Stem Description:
- Buds are pubescent with no scales. Young buds and stems are cinnamon brown.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Fire
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Malodorous
- Poisonous to Humans
