

How to identify Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
Pawpaw, also known as Papaw, Fetid-bush
Pawpaw is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading habitat and a notable presence in understories. It exhibits broad, oblong leaves that emit a distinctive odor when crushed. In the autumn, these leaves turn a vibrant yellow. The bark of pawpaw is smooth, marked with conspicuous wart-like lenticels that provide a notable texture to the tree's exterior. The adaptive nature of pawpaw allows it to thrive in a range of sunlight exposures, from deep shade to full sun, as long as it is rooted in moist, well-draining, and slightly acidic soils.
Distinctive cinnamon-brown stem color with soft pubescent texture, lacking bud scales.
Oblong, pendulous leaves emitting green pepper odor, vibrant green upper surface, pale underside.
Bark transitions from smooth to rugged with scaly ridges, adorned with wart-like lenticels.
Burgundy flowers with foul odor, purplish-brown petals, blooming in spring.
Unique, custard-like fruit with greenish-yellow hue, bluish glaucous coating, nutritional powerhouse.
The leaves of pawpaw are alternate, simple, obovate to oblong, measuring 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long and 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) wide. They emit a green pepper odor when crushed. Arranged in two ranks, they hang pendulously from the stem. The upper surface is a vibrant green, while the underside is pale and glaucous.
The flowers of pawpaw are burgundy and bloom in spring. Although not showy, they are purplish-brown with six petals, measuring 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in diameter. These flowers emit a foul odor as they are pollinated by flies.
The stem of pawpaw is characterized by its cinnamon-brown color, particularly evident on young buds and stems. The texture is pubescent, with a fine layer of soft, downy hairs. The stems are typically slender, with a thickness of about 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5 to 10 mm). The branching pattern is generally sparse but well-defined, contributing to the tree's open and airy structure. Key features include the lack of bud scales and a distinctive pubescence on both buds and stems.
The fruit of pawpaw is a unique, pulpy delight that ripens from August to October. It has an ovate to cylindrical shape and matures to a greenish-yellow hue with a bluish glaucous coating. The fruit boasts a soft, custard-like interior with a delectable sweetness reminiscent of bananas. It's a nutritional powerhouse and can reach lengths of about 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm). The presence of a pollinizer is necessary for the fruit to develop, ensuring that each becomes a sumptuous treat for those fortunate to find it.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Pawpaw