Kentucky Division of Forestry and Kentucky State University team up to offer high-quality seedlings

By Lynn Brammer Division of Forestry

The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a small, understory tree with large leaves and banana-like fruit. Pawpaws are native to the eastern United States and grow wild throughout Kentucky where they are typically seen in shady, rich bottomlands. The pawpaw fruit is the largest edible fruit indigenous to North America and once they have ripened, they have a flavor comparable to mango, banana and pineapple. Although pawpaws—sometimes called “Indian bananas”—are largely left to foraging wildlife, they were once very important to Native Americans and early settlers.

At present, most pawpaw fruit is collected from wild stands or is produced in small orchards and sold at farmer’s markets for around $3 per pound. Although commercial production of pawpaw in Kentucky is not common, there is a growing interest in producing the fruit as a high-value crop. A pawpaw research program at Kentucky State University (KSU) is one of the reasons for the renewed interest. Dr. Kirk Pomper, who has worked for more than 10 years to develop new pawpaw varieties with higher quality fruit, currently oversees the program. He and his staff direct their research at improving propagation methods,

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TOP: The pawpaw tree produces the largest edible tree fruit native to the United States, reaching over 1 pound in size. Researchers at KSU are developing new varieties of pawpaw to improve market potential. The flavor of pawpaw makes them a desirable ingredient for ice cream, breads, pies and other dessert recipes. Photo by Dr. Kirk Pomper, KSU

ABOVE LEFT: Myesha Hollins, KSU undergraduate student, looks at pawpaw fruit in the Pawpaw Patch at Cove Spring Park in Frankfort. Photo by Jeremy Lowe

LEFT: Pawpaw flowers are thought to be self-incompatible and require cross pollination. Photo by Dr. Kirk Pomper