pawpaw

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• dog-banana
• Indian-banana
• pawpawtree
• American paw paw
• Indiana banana
• bandango
• common paw paw
• custard apple
• false-banana
• fetid-bush
• papaw
• paw-paw

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Uvaria triloba
• Porcelia triloba
• Annona pendula
• Annona triloba
• Uvaria conoidea
• Orchidocarpum arietinum
• Asimina campaniflora
• Asimina conoidea
• Asimina glabra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Magnoliales and the family Annonaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established under the genus Asimina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Asimina triloba, exhibits a specific range across North American landscapes. In Eastern Canada, its presence can be documented within the province of Ontario. Moving into the North-Central United States, the species is widely distributed across several key states. Specifically, it thrives in the regions of Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas. Additionally, its geographical footprint extends further south into Missouri.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Asimina triloba is characterized by its adaptability to various environments, though it is frequently found thriving within a garden setting when cultivated for its medicinal and ornamental properties. In these managed landscapes, the plant typically occupies well-drained, fertile soils with consistent moisture, often situated in partial shade to mimic its natural woodland origins. Its ecological presence in a garden involves establishing a robust root system that allows it to compete effectively for nutrients while providing a structural element to the local microclimate. As it matures, its growth patterns contribute to the surrounding soil organic matter, facilitating a niche for beneficial soil microbes and supporting a localized ecosystem within the garden's borders.

Habitat :

garden

Life history

The life history of Asimina triloba is characterized by its status as a long-lived perennial, allowing the plant to establish a robust presence within its native woodland habitats. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle in a single growing season but instead undergoes repeated cycles of vegetative growth and dormancy, often developing a deep, expansive root system that provides stability and nutrient storage for years. This perennial nature enables the plant to persist through seasonal fluctuations, utilizing its stored energy to emerge and flourish during the warmer months. Over its lifespan, the plant undergoes various stages of development, from seedling establishment to mature reproductive phases, contributing to the long-term structural complexity of its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Asimina triloba is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural development, typically manifesting as a woody plant. It displays a growth form that can be categorized as both a tree and a shrub, contributing to its substantial presence in its natural habitat. The plant reaches an average height of approximately 8.83 m, and while its structure is primarily upright, it exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber. Its permanent woody nature provides the necessary structural integrity to support its height and complex branching patterns.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

8.83 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Asimina triloba is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and a specialized seed dispersal mechanism. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in April, though the timing can be variable across different environments. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a measurable range of mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.757 g, with individual seeds weighing as little as 0.651 g and reaching a maximum of 1.053 g. In terms of propagation strategy, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are spread via animals, which facilitates the movement and establishment of new individuals within its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass max:

1.053 g

Seed mass mean:

0.756973175 g

Seed mass min:

0.6507781 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Asimina triloba has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed, stem.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Asimina triloba has 115 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Asimicin, (+)-Syringaresinol, (Z)-Hex-3-en-1-ol, 10-Hydroxyasimicin, 10-Hydroxytrilobacin.

Asimicin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

(+)-Syringaresinol

1. Journal of natural products

(Z)-Hex-3-en-1-ol

1. Dr. Duke

10-Hydroxyasimicin

1. Journal of natural products

10-Hydroxytrilobacin

1. Journal of natural products

3-hydroxybutan-2-one

1. Dr. Duke

4-Hexanolide

1. Dr. Duke

4-Octanolide

1. Dr. Duke

ACETOGENINS

1. Journal of economic entomology

Annonaceous Acetogenins

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Asimina triloba has 522 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antiviral, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor.

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Asimina triloba has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, fleas, head lice, ticks.

Cancer

1. Journal of natural products

Fleas

1. Journal of natural products

Head lice

1. Journal of natural products

Ticks

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Asimina triloba has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH extract of the bark of Asimina triloba, seeds, stem bark.

Etoh extract of the bark of asimina triloba

1. Journal of natural products

Seeds

1. Journal of natural products

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products