The pawpaw, also known as the sweetsop or prairie banana, is a North American fruit with a creamy texture and a taste that some compare to vanilla and banana. The fruit grows on the largest Native American fruit trees, which can reach up to 32 feet in height. The pawpaw is pollinated by midges and is low maintenance, making it a popular choice for organic gardeners. While there are claims that the fruit may have anticancer properties, its health benefits are not well substantiated.
A lion’s paw is a fruit native to North America, also called the sweetsop or prairie banana. While the name may have originated from the Spanish term papaya, these two fruits are unrelated. Paw growing trees are the largest Native American fruit trees, ranging in height from 16 to 32 feet (5.44 to 9.75 m).
Hardwood paw tree flowers in early spring. The small flowers are deep purple in color. After spring flowering, leaves begin to appear that appear almost out of place in their native environment. They are dark green and glossy, similar to the leaves of many tropical plants, although they turn golden in the fall. The tree is often chosen for landscaping because deer tend to avoid eating the leaves.
The fruit itself can grow in clusters or alone. A saw ranges in size from 2 to 6.5 inches (5.08 to 16.51 cm) in length, with an average diameter of 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm). The unripe fruit is light green in color, but turns yellow-brown when fully ripe.
Most pawpaws are pollinated by midges, which sometimes makes them unappealing to growers. Those who have gourd farms generally place the rotting flesh near the trees to increase the number of flies and thus increase the tree’s production. Other than the proliferation of flies, the tree doesn’t have many natural predators. However, some growers still find growing flies repugnant. Although native to North America, pawpaw does not enjoy the popularity of other fruits, although more organic gardeners are considering developing orchards because they are low maintenance.
There are detractors and proponents of the paw, as well as multiple interpretations of what the fruit tastes like. Some people liken the taste to a cross between vanilla and bananas, while others think it looks more like a mix of banana and mango. Others find the taste boring, whatever it is. Some people liken the creamy texture of the fruit to a rich custard.
Papaya contains more protein than most other fruits and can even be used as a substitute for fat in muffin and cake recipes. The emphasis on healthy eating may inspire you more to choose pawpaw due to its high protein-to-sugar ratio. Various recipes suggest using it in smoothies, pies, chiffon cakes, and ice cream. There is even a recipe for wine made from fruit.
Some investigation into the saw has led to the belief, unsubstantiated by significant evidence, that it may have anticancer properties. Native Americans used the leaves and bark to treat scarlet fever. The leaves are mildly toxic, so it may be best to leave this treatment alone. Some people have trouble digesting the fruit, too, so you might want to try them carefully at first.
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