Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba)

Pawpaw, paw paw, paw-paw.  Also, indiana banana.  Because hey, that's fun.  Also, I didn't realize until 5 minutes ago that there are 8 species of pawpaw in the US, all belonging to the genus Asimina, all collectively known as pawpaw.  So...  don't sweat it.  Just call it pawpaw.  Or indiana banana.  Or... you know, whatever you call it.  Lots of different names for it.  Seriously.

I am salivating right now.

Why do we care?  Because the fruit of this tree is amazing!  It has a texture like custard and a taste that varies but is usually described as banana and mango.  The kids and I love it.  Jen doesn't like it, but she doesn't eat peaches, melons, mangoes, etc.  

Right!  So I am too late to post a picture of the flowers.  As I post this, the petals all dropped off last week.  Luckily I found the following pictures online.

These are in their female form and ready to receive pollen.

Male form.  See the petals spread further open? Flowers progress through the female to male form. That pollen is ready to move!

Apparently bees do not care for these flowers and they are mainly pollinated by beetles and flies.  I've read that some people used to hang carrion (dead animals.  yuck.) on the trees to attract more pollinators.  I just use a q-tip or my very own finger to help nature along.  This assumes I am taking the herbal supplements and medicines that help me not want to claw my eyes out due to the grass pollen which is usually in the air about the time these flowers are putting on their show.

Very soon  you will be finding tiny little fruits where the flowers used to be, and then the leaves will suddenly be huge and you will have to look for the fruit with intention if you want to find it.  Good luck!

Finding Mature Fruit

During occasional walks in the woods I find myself looking at many of the same plants again and again, watching the growth through the seasons, from bud to flower, flower to fruit, and so on.  Often I'll learn about a new plant and try to find it locally only to wish I could see some photos of the plant that are more than the flowers or the fruit, whichever a plant is more famous for. 

So here is this blog.  I aim to add a new plant occasionally, but each plant I add I'm hoping to update through the seasons so you can get a look at it through the year.  I hope you find it helpful!

I will be starting with Pawpaw, Mayapple, and Persimmon, since those are the ones I'm watching lately.  There will be more.  Much, much more.