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This small, colonizing tree produces the largest edible fruit indigenous to the United States. It has dark maroon flowers in the early spring which are pollinated by flies.

Latin Name

Asimina triloba


Family

Annonaceae


Also Known As

Papaw West Virginia Banana Poor Man's Banana


Type of Plant

Trees Trees
Fruits Fruits

Bloom Season

April - May

Seasons

Fall Fall
Spring Spring

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 30'
Max spread Max Spread: 30'

Uses

  • Edible
  • Naturalize

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Wet Soil

  • Colors


    Native Range

    Eastern, southern, and midwestern United States


    History

    George Washington wrote in his diary on March 7th, 1785 that he, "Planted all my Cedars, all my Papaw, and two Honey locust Trees in my Shrubberies and two of the latter in my groves--one at each 'side' of the House and a large Holly tree on the Point going to the Sein landing."


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington
    Sold at Mount Vernon Sold at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Botanical Garden Pioneer Farm Slave Cabin Garden

  • Botanical Garden
  • Pioneer Farm
  • Slave Cabin Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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