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Asimina parviflora (Michx.) Dunal

Smallflower pawpaw, Small-flower pawpaw, Dwarf pawpaw

Annonaceae (Custard-Apple Family)

Synonyms: Orchidocarpum parviflorum

USDA Symbol: ASPA18

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Small-flower or dwarf pawpaw is a 6-8 ft. shrub. Its young shoots and leaves are covered with a rusty down, later becoming smooth. Thick, dark green leaves are heavily scented. Brownish-purple, six-petaled flowers are borne singly in leaf axils before leaf emergence. Cylindric, dark green or brown fruit.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Obovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Leaf: Light green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Apr

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Coastal plain pine forests from s.e. VA to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Dry, piney or oak woods; thickets
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Fertile, loose, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Good understory plant.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Plants are easily grown from scarified/stratified seed. Increase by root cuttings, layering, or dormant transplanting.
Seed Collection: Fruit often drops from shrub while still hard, green and sour. These fruits can be stored in single layers on trays until pulp begins to soften. Remove seeds and air dry before storing.
Seed Treatment: Follow scarification with a 60-90 day stratification at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-MLE-17 Collected 2010-06-16 in Hardin County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Asimina parviflora in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Asimina parviflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asimina parviflora

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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