Paw Paw

Common Names

American Papaw Pawpaw

Scientific Names

Asimina triloba Annonaceae (custard apple) family

History of
the Tree Species

Native to eastern U.S. and Canada Produces a large, yellow/green/brown fruit Earliest fossil evidence of this tree originated in the Miocene Epoch (23-5.3 million years ago) Early records of human discovery include Hernando de Soto's expedition of the Americas in 1541, where he noted that Natives were cultivating and eating pawpaw fruit Washington and Jefferson included pawpaws in their agricultural work Pawpaw fruit sustained Lewis and Clark's expedition for several weeks when rations were low

Scientific Facts

Fruit is edible, sweet, and eaten raw or cooked (often used for desserts) Products containing twig extracts of pawpaw are used as alternative anticancer medicines Fruit also used as a laxative Leaves are diuretic and also applied to boils, ulcers, and abscesses Seeds contain asiminine, which is emetic and narcotic May aid in killing lice