Asimina obovata

Asimina obovata
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Magnoliids
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Annonaceae
Genus:	Asimina
Species:	A. obovata
Binomial name
Asimina obovata (Willd.) Nash

Asimina obovata, the bigflower pawpaw, is a shrub or small tree in the custard apple family. It is an endemic native ^[2] to Florida, where it is found on open sandy hammocks and in dry woods. ^[3] Showy white flowers in late winter to early summer are followed by large green edible fruit. Its pollen is shed as permanent tetrads. ^[4] Along with the other members of the genus, it serves as a host plant for zebra swallowtail butterfly and pawpaw sphinx moth ^[5]

Description

The leaves of A. obovata are alternately arranged and have pinnate venation. It may occur as a shrub or tree, with the potential to grow up to 3.5 meters (approximately 12 feet) in height. The flowers it produces may get up to 10 centimeters (approximately 4 inches) across, and fruit may reach a length of over 7 centimeters (approximately 3 inches). ^[6]

Asimina obovata in fruit

References

1. "Asimina obovata". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
2. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants
3. Flora of North America
4. Walker JW (1971) Pollen Morphology, Phytogeography, and Phylogeny of the Annonaceae. Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University, 202: 1-130.
5. Florida Native Plant Society
6. "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-08-07.