Asimina obovata

(Willd.) Nash

Florida pawpaw, Bigflower pawpaw

Annonaceae Edible: Fruit 1,801 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Asimina obovata, the bigflower pawpaw, is a shrub or small tree in the custard apple family. It is an endemic native to Florida, where it is found on open sandy hammocks and in dry woods. Showy white flowers in late winter to early summer are followed by large green edible fruit. Its pollen is shed as permanent tetrads. Along with the other members of the genus, it serves as a host plant for zebra swallowtail butterfly and pawpaw sphinx moth

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-3 m tall. It has many branches. New shoots have bright red hairs. The leaves are oval and 4-10 cm long. The edges can be curved. The flowering shoots are at the ends of new shoots. The flowers are yellow to white. They have a lemon scent. The fruit are yellow-green berries. They are 5-9 cm long. The seeds are brown.