Texas Wildbuds
Asimina triloba
(Pawpaw)
Asimina triloba, Caddo Lake State Park, Harrison Co. 0432
Asimina triloba, Caddo Lake State Park, Harrison Co. 0440
Asimina triloba, Caddo Lake State Park, Harrison Co. 0449
| Scientific Name | Asimina triloba | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ASTR |
| Common Name | Pawpaw | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 18117 |
| Family | Annonaceae (Custard-apple) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry to wet soils in wooded areas. Plant: Large understory shrub or small tree 10 to 40 ft. tall; slender trunks up to 8 inches in diameter or more; bark is shallowly furrowed in larger trees; branches are slender and spreading or ascending; new shoots are covered with brown hairs and become smooth with age. Leaves: Alternate, oblong-obovate to oblanceolate, 4 to 12 inches long and 2 to 6 inches wide; on short petioles less than 3/8-inch long; surfaces are light green above, paler beneath and covered with rusty hairs when young, becoming smooth with age. Inflorescence: Nodding, unpleasant-smelling, dull maroon flowers up to nearly 2 inches in diameter on hairy pedicels up to 1-1/4 inches long; 3 outer petals are 5/8 to 1 inch long and curved out and backward; 3 inner petals 1/3 to 1/2 as long; sepals are triangular-deltate about 8 to 12 mm long and densely hairy. Bloom Period: April and May. Fruit: Elongated berry, 2 to 4-3/4 inches long and 3/4 to 2-3/8 inches wide, greenish yellow becoming dark brown when ripe. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025
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