Way Down Yonder in the PawPaw Patch

My friend Lisa showed me last year where to find an abundance of pawpaw, (vicinity of Muddy Run, Southern Lancaster County). We took her truck to a spot the locals forage. Not much at first... Some bravery was required, (I stepped on a giant snake skin...)

I found one- with bugs, but most of it intact.  (The leaves contain a natural insecticide, but this one- like most that are edible- was found on the forest floor.)  The pawpaw's a sweet fruit- like a banana custard, with grapey undertones around the seeds. Not enjoyed by everyone, (I've been told early settlers preferred apples)... I've been interested to learn recently that pawpaw trees grow not only along eastern rivers, but can propagate in the west, (as far as eastern Nebraska). Maybe I'll take some of the (lima-bean sized) seeds I've collected on my upcoming visit...  It's one of the largest edible fruits indigenous to the United States- a favorite of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, mentioned by Lewis and Clark. 

Perishable- I picked some firm ones to send to an interested friend in Montana... (It didn't work-out well. Cautioned regarding their perishable nature, I'd selected very firm ones to send- too firm, I think... Possibly better than receiving a package of brown goo, though!)

I'd been given a piece of a pawpaw to eat a couple years ago while hiking Turkey Hill.  Almost that time again... 


According to Wikipedia, (entry on Asmina triloba),

This plant's scientific name is Asimina triloba. The genus name Asimina is adapted from the Native American name assimin through the French colonial asiminier. The epithet triloba in the species' scientific name refers to the flowers' three-lobed calices and doubly three-lobed corollas, the shape not unlike a tricorner hat.

The leaves of the species are simple, alternate and spirally arranged, entire, deciduous, obovate-lanceolate, 10-12 inches (25–30 cm) long, 4-5 inches (10–13 cm) broad, and wedge-shaped at the base, with an acute apex and an entire margin, with the midrib and primary veins prominent. The petioles are short and stout, with a prominent adaxial groove. Stipules are lacking. The expanding leaves are conduplicate, green, covered with rusty tomentum beneath, and hairy above; when fully grown they are smooth, dark green above, and paler beneath. When bruised, the leaves have a disagreeable odor similar to a green bell pepper. In autumn the leaves are a rusty yellow, which make spotting pawpaw groves possible from a long distance. Pawpaw flowers are perfect, about 1-2 inches (3–5 cm) across, rich red-purple or maroon when mature, with three sepals and six petals. They are borne singly on stout, hairy, axillary peduncles. The flowers are produced in early spring at the same time as or slightly before the new leaves appear, and have a faint fetid or yeasty smell. FruitThe fruit of the pawpaw is a large, yellowish-green to brown berry, 2–6 in (5–16 cm) long and 1–3 in (3–7 cm) broad, weighing from 0.7–18 oz (20–500 g), containing several brown seeds 1/2 to 1 in (15–25 mm) in diameter embedded in the soft, edible fruit pulp. The conspicuous fruits begin developing after the plants flower; they are initially green, maturing by September or October to yellow or brown. When mature, the heavy fruits bend the weak branches down.



Where, oh where is dear little Nellie?
Where, oh where is dear little Nellie?
Where, oh where is dear little Nellie?
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch

Pickin' up pawpaws, puttin' 'em in your pocket
Pickin' up pawpaws, puttin' 'em in your pocket
Pickin' up pawpaws, puttin' 'em in your pocket
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch 
                                       (Traditional)

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