Common Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Asimina triloba, commonly known as the pawpaw, is a small deciduous tree native to North …
Netted pawpaw (Asimina reticulata)
dog-banana
flag pawpaw
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Asimina reticulata (Netted Pawpaw): Native Florida Shrub Facts
Endemic to the sandy landscapes of Florida, Asimina reticulata thrives in piney flatwoods and coastal dune scrub habitats. This resilient shrub forms an integral part of the local understory vegetation.
Adapted to poorly drained soils, it develops a deep taproot that allows it to survive in challenging conditions. The plant brings a distinct visual appeal to its native environment with its pale green foliage and nodding, fragrant blossoms.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ magnoliids
- ∟ order Magnoliales
- ∟ family Annonaceae (Custard apple family)
- ∟ subfamily Annonoideae
- ∟ genus Asimina (Pawpaw)
- ∟ species Asimina reticulata (Netted pawpaw)
Morphology
The physical characteristics of the netted pawpaw include various distinct botanical features.
- Habit: It grows as an evergreen bush reaching up to 1.5 meters in height, supported by a deep, spindle-shaped taproot.
- Leaves: The leathery, oblong leaves measure 5 to 8 centimeters long. Young foliage features sparse orange hairs, while mature leaves are mostly hairless and pale green.
- Flowers: Fragrant, nodding flowers emerge with 6 petals in two rows. The outer petals are white or creamy and reach up to 7 centimeters in length, while the inner petals are smaller and deeply wrinkled.
- Fruit: It produces irregularly shaped, yellow-green berries that are 4 to 7 centimeters long.
Interesting facts
The ecological interactions of this species are highly specialized.
- The pollen is shed as permanent tetrads, a distinctive botanical trait within the family.
- Pollination is primarily carried out by specific beetles, including the dark flower scarab beetle and the hairy flower scarab beetle.
Geography of distribution
- United States
Sources
- GBIF
- Tropicos
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
See also
Bigflower pawpaw
Asimina obovata
An endemic shrub or small tree from Florida, noted for its large showy flowers and …
Smallflower Pawpaw
Asimina parviflora
Asimina parviflora, commonly known as the smallflower pawpaw, is a dwarf shrub native to the …
Dwarf pawpaw
Asimina pygmaea
A small, intriguing shrub native to Florida and Georgia, known for its deep crimson flowers …