Chapter 4.23.1
4.23.1 pawpaw.
Abby Maertens , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Maertens,A. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
What is pawpaw
Pawpaw or Asimina triloba is a part of the Annonaceae family and in the order Magnoliales (Brittanica Editors n.d.). Pawpaw goes by many names such as America’s Forgotten Fruit, Frost banana, Indiana banana, fetid bush, bandango, custard apple, prarie banana, poor man’s banana or Asimina triloba (Rice 2019). It is easily confused with Papaya and some call papaya pawpaw when the two fruits are botanically different (Covington 2021). For example, papaya is grown in the tropical regions of South America and Mexico whereas, pawpaw is grown in North America (Covington 2021). Additionally, pawpaw is smaller than papaya and is yellow on the inside and non-edible seeds whereas, papaya is orange on the inside with edible seeds (Covington 2021). Pawpaw is a nutritious and delicate green/black fruit with dark brown seeds native to North America (Bir, 2019). Pawpaw fruits are large berries that turn from green to yellow when ripe (Moreno n.d.). Pawpaw fruits grow on trees that can grow up to ten metres in height with large leaves roughly thirty centimetres in length (Ontario.ca 2014 ). Pawpaw trees should be spaced from eight to fifteen feet apart (Ames 2018 ) . A single pawpaw tree can cost up to thirty-five dollars to buy (Ames 2018). In Canada, it can be found around Lake Erie and the Niagara Region (Ontario.ca 2014). It is most found in the mid-Atlantic and the mid-Western states (Bir 2019). The inside of pawpaw is a pale-yellow colour like the colour of the inside of the banana, and has similar flavours to bananas, citrus, and mangoes in one fruit (Bir 2019). Although, Pawpaw is mainly grown on skinny trees in tropical forests (Hormaza, 2014). In 2013, the Shenandoah cultivar had the higher yield in pounds of fruit per tree and per acre (Llewellyn 2016). Meanwhile, in 2013 and 2015, the Susquehanna cultivar had the largest fruit weight and the Allegheny cultivar yielded highest number of fruits per tree (Llewellyn 2016). Pawpaw also had medicinal uses such as acting as a laxative, the leaves are diuretic and can be applied to abscesses, boils, and ulcers (Plants For A Future n.d .). Additionally, pawpaw seeds contain alkaline asiminine which can kill hair lice (Plants For A Future n.d.). The seeds become powdered then can be applied to hair (Plants For a Future n.d.).
History of pawpaw
Pawpaw is the largest edible fruit that is native to North America (Hormaza). It originated in 1541 by a Portuguese officer in the United States (Hormaza). Native Americans were growing and eating pawpaw in the Mississippi Valley region (Hormaza). Pawpaw’s are native from Southern Ontario all the way down to northern Florida (Desmond et al ). Pawpaw was enjoyed by all animals, settlers, and explorers (Desmond et al). The fruit is also how the explorers on the Lewis and Clark expedition were fed in 1810 during their return trip in the fall (Hillbilly Fruit Farms). Additionally, the bark off pawpaw trees was used to make fishing nets, rope, and cloth by Native Americans (Hummer et al 2011). George Washington really enjoyed pawpaw fruits along with Thomas Jefferson, who grew them at Monticello (Hillbilly Fruit Farms). Popularity for pawpaw grew near the end of the twentieth century in Europe during the Great Depression and were consumed as a substitute to other fruits (Hillbilly Fruit Farms). Additionally, during the Great Depression, pawpaw became known as “poor man’s bananas” (Hillbilly Fruit Farms). There is also a well-known folk song sung by Americans called “Way down, yonder in the pawpaw patch” (Hummer et al 2011). Pawpaw was able to grow in other places due to animals consuming them and spreading the seeds (Hormaza). The American Genetics Association held a contest to look at the best pawpaw crops and the result was to develop commercial varieties through breeding, but it did not pass in 1910 (Llewellyn 2016). However, between 1910 and 1950, there were a few varieties of pawpaw developed by only a few breeders (Llewellyn 2016). Then, between 1950 and 1985, a lot of varieties were chosen from both wild and cultivated sources allowing for increased breeding production and open-pollinated crosses (Llewellyn 2016). Neal Peterson started a large-scale breeding program to improve the developed pawpaw varieties working with the University of Maryland in 1981 (Llewellyn 2016). Evaluation orchards were established at the University of Maryland’s agricultural experiment stations at the Wye Research and Education Center, Queenstown and Keedysville MD (Llewellyn 2016). There were 1483 open-pollinated seedlings mainly coming from the survived plant material and collections from the four pawpaw breeders from 1985-2000 (Llewellyn 2016). Peterson then selected eighteen advanced numbered selections which were included with ten named varieties that were in a set of trials controlled at 12 different universities (Llewellyn 2016). In 2003, three superior cultivars were identified, Shenandoah, Susquehanna, and Rappahannock (Llewellyn 2016). In 2015, three more cultivars were identified and named Potomac, Allegheny, and Wabash (Llewellyn 2016). The large-scale breeding project conducted by Peterson was the first evaluation project exceeding thousands of seedlings, selection, statistical measurements, and consisting over one thousand accessions (Llewellyn 2016).
How is pawpaw associated with Indigenous peoples
Pawpaw originated through the Shawnee culture (Koscho 2020). The Shawnee used different pawpaw fruits to mark phases of the moon (Koscho 2020). Since pawpaw becomes ripe at the end of September (usually) the Shawnee named September Pawpaw month or ha’siminikiisfwa which means pawpaw moon (Koscho 2020). Pawpaw moon indicated the Shawnee that pawpaw was ripe, and winter was coming soon (Koscho 2020). Tribal members from the Shawnee culture would plant the seeds in their yards for it to grow (Koscho 2020).
How and where was pawpaw consumed
Pawpaw was consumed raw, cooked, through pulp, or extract, and it could be picked off the tree ripe and could easily be consumed (Desmond et al). Pawpaw could be cut in half and the fruit could be scooped from a spoon and be eaten (Balestier 2016). Although, it could also be made into a puree, smoothies, jams, jellies, or ice cream (Ames 2018). Buckeye Brewing Company in Ohio crafts a pawpaw beer, and in Pittsburgh, a pawpaw liqueur is being developed by Wigle Whiskey (Balestier 2016). Additionally, in Ann Arbor, Zingerman’s Creamery makes pawpaw gelato (Balestier 2016). There is also a restaurant, Shovel & Pick, that serves pawpaw butter and curd (Balestier 2016). There is also a recipe on how to make pawpaw bread (Masterclass staff 2020). Pawpaw fruits can get a mild disease called flyspeck which is a fungus that can grow on the surface of the fruit but does not prevent it from being edible (Hobby Farms n.d.).
What are the benefits of pawpaw
Pawpaw trees easily reproduce (Hormaza). The bark from pawpaw trees can also be used for medicinal purpose (WebMD n.d.). Additionally, pawpaw has great nutrition components. Pawpaw is full of iron, copper, manganese, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, riboflavin, and magnesium (Desmond et al). These vitamins and minerals are essential to human health because they support development and growth, improve immune system, and benefit cells and organs to do their jobs (Gavin 2021) . Pawpaw also contains all essential amino acids and fatty acids (Desmond et al). Pills made from pawpaw twigs are used to help fight cancerous tumours in people (Horne n.d.). Pawpaw is mainly pest free and thrives in cold winters and hot summers (Ames 2018). Also, pawpaw has genetic variability which allows the plant to be further improved (Ames 2018). Another benefit to producing pawpaw is the easy maintenance of the tree (Moreno n.d.).
What are limitations of pawpaw
Ripe pawpaw only lasts a couple of days at room temperature but, a week in a refrigerator (Desmond et al). Pawpaw can cause vomiting, swelling of the mouth and throat , fever, and lice (WebMD n.d.). Pawpaw’s have poor root structure which causes the trees to not be easily transported (Ames 2018). Additionally, the waiting time for the fruit can be a long time, pawpaw trees can take up to five to seven years to start producing fruit (Ames 2018). To add on, research on pawpaw breeding takes approximately ten years per generation then another six years for testing (Llewellyn 2016). The extensive time is not the only limitation, budgets and a decent number of acres are required to further the research on pawpaw, therefore, a passionate pawpaw grower will need to dedicate themselves to research for the study to continue (Llewellyn 2016). Pawpaw fruits also carry a high concentration of annonacin (Potts et al 2011). Annonacin is toxic to cortical neurons (Potts et al 2011). Cortical neurons are polarized cells remote from the cortical tissue of the brain and are a significant signalling unit of the nervous system (AxolBio n.d .).
References
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