The horticulturists at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texasexplain that pawpaw produces many flowers that seldom self-pollinate, and are in fact, “self-incompatible.” Flies and beetles are the major pollinators of A. The pawpaw tree’s unique flowers are a nice addition to the landscape. The pros at Peterson Pawpaws recommend planting trees no more than 30 feet apart. The best method to ensure a fruit crop is to plant at least two totally different cultivars on your property (and three is even better), as well as an array of nectar-rich plants that attract pollinators. Pollination and Fruitĭecide whether you are interested in fruit, because pawpaw pollination poses a challenge. Mature dimensions may reach 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide, with compact branches for a conical shape.įor cultivation as a shrub, select a partially shaded location beneath a canopy of tall deciduous trees, where looser, sprawling growth has room to roam. It should be somewhat sheltered, either by a nearby building, fence, or shrubbery, because high wind is known to damage pawpaw, permanently twisting its branches. To grow a tree, choose a location in full sun. Soil Requirementsįor optimal results, you’ll need moist soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH that is organically rich and drains well.Ĭontact your local extension office to have your soil tested, and adjust pH and add amendments like compost and nutrient-rich fertilizer per the instructions in your test report. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure success. Yes, after singing about them for years, she grew up and planted a patch of her own. My first physical encounter with this plant, no lie, was in my sister Susie’s backyard. But in the full sunshine of open spaces, it’s a pyramid-shaped tree that may exceed 30 feet in height.īoth types generate suckers that grow into additional plants and eventually form a thicket of growth, or the proverbial patch. It may have the habit of either a tree or a shrub.Īs an understory plant, beneath the partial shade of deciduous trees, it is shrub-like. triloba is a plant that thrives in organically-rich areas along waterways, in woodlands, and on hillsides, where the ground is especially moist. But although I was in prime pawpaw territory, I grew up with only the word, and not the sweet flavor, on my tongue.Ī. These old Appalachian lyricshave been sung around many a campfire, including the Girl Scout jamborees of my childhood. It’s an overlooked legacy from Mother Nature that harks back to gentler times, when bonneted girls and straw-hatted boys went fruit picking in bare feet on summer mornings. Professor Bruce Bordelon, of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University, concurs with the warnings and says, “When it comes to pawpaw, perhaps it is best to enjoy the fruit in moderation.” “Way Down Yonder”Īt a length of up to six inches, the pawpaw is North America’s largest native fruit. In addition to fresh fruit and frozen pulp, extracts are available in pill form for the purported purpose of boosting cell health. Instead, it’s the domain of small-scale farmers and home growers who often supply it to farmers markets. Pawpaw fruit perishes quickly after ripening, so it is not currently a commonplace grocery store commodity. However, Sloan Kettering advises its cancer patients: “There are no published clinical studies in humans to determine the safety of pawpaw for cancer treatment,” and goes on to warn patients who wish to consume the fruit that they may experience allergic reactions, neurotoxic effects, or vomiting if they do. In addition, the pulp and twigs contain acetogenins, metabolic compounds toxic to some cancer cells. The NC State Extension categorizes the level of toxicity from eating pawpaw as low, with the summary: “Fruit edible but some people suffer severe stomach and intestinal pain skin irritation from handling fruit.” This is due to the chemical compound annonacin, which is also present in the bark and seeds. And while the fruit has an appealing flavor, there are some people for whom consumption causes stomach upset.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |