Flora of the Southeastern United States

Asimina triloba (Linnaeus) Dunal. Common name: Common Pawpaw, Indian-banana. Phenology: Mar-May; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Alluvial forests, other moist, nutrient-rich forests. Distribution: NJ, w. NY, and s. ON west to s. MI and e. NE, south to Panhandle FL, s. LA, and ne. TX. The modern distribution may reflect some human movement of the species, especially northwards into formerly glaciated areas, and also peripherally; "collectively, the genetic data suggest that long-distance dispersal played an important role in the distribution of pawpaw and is consistent with the hypothesized role of indigenous peoples" (Wyatt, Hamrick, & Trapnell 2021).

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Other Comments: Often forming clonal stands of an acre or more, sometimes with very few fruit being produced in some populations. This species is increasingly being cultivated; however, for fruit production, of which access to fruit and popularity of consumption has recently grown.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, Can, F, Fl2, FNA3, G, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, Mo2, NcTx, NS, NY, Ok, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, DeLaney (2010a), Godfrey (1988), Kral (1960), Wilbur (1970a); = Annona triloba L. Basionym: Annona triloba L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Asimina triloba - FNA3

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
• Great Plains: FACU
• Midwest: FAC
• Northcentral & Northeast: FAC

Heliophily ⓘ: 3