Asimoya, Custard apple, Pawpaw
Asimina triloba

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows to 8-15 m tall. It has straight spreading branches. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are narrow and oval. They are up to 25 cm long. They are widest above the middle. The upper surface is green and they are more pale underneath. The flowers are deep red-brown. They are 5 cm long and hang down. They are carried in clusters of 2-5 flowers. The fruit is black-brown. They are elongated. They are 5-15 cm long. The fruit are edible. They have soft orange flesh. The seeds are small, long, hard and black. There are several named cultivated varieties.

There are 7 or 8 Asimina species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to North America. It prefers rich soil. It is best with some shade. It will tolerate reasonable frost. It needs a growing season of 6-8 months but then can tolerate temperatures. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit have the consistency of a custard and are eaten. They are also used for preserves, ice cream, cakes and sweet desserts. Caution: The seeds are toxic. Some people are allergic to this fruit.

The fruit is nutritious.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

They are grown from seed. They seed need cold treatment before they will grow. Plants do not transplant easily because of the deep taproot.

Trees are fairly slow growing. Plants commence after about 5 years. The fruit need to be very ripe before eating. They take 4-5 months to mature after fruit set. Trees can produce 50-100 fruit per tree each year. Fruit only store for 2-3 days at room temperature but for 3 weeks with refrigeration.

Its other names

Local names

Dog-banana, Hoosier Banana, Indian-banana, Michigan banana, North American pawpaw, Poor Man's Banana

Synonyms

Annona triloba L.;