Dwarf pawpaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf pawpaw |
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| Botanical illustration of Asimina pygmaea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Asimina
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| Species: |
pygmaea
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| Synonyms | |
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Annona pygmaea W.Bartram |
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The dwarf pawpaw, also known as gopher berry, is a type of plant. Its scientific name is Asimina pygmaea. It belongs to the Annonaceae plant family. This plant grows naturally in Florida and Georgia in the United States.
An American nature expert named William Bartram was the first to describe this plant officially. He gave it the name Annona pygmaea. He chose the name "pygmaea" because it means "dwarfed" in Latin. This name fits the plant well because it is quite small.
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About the Dwarf Pawpaw Plant
The dwarf pawpaw is a small bush. It usually grows to be about 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) tall. It has a main root that goes deep into the ground, shaped a bit like a carrot. From this root, one or more stems grow upwards.
Stems and Leaves
The stems of the dwarf pawpaw have bark that can be red or brown. This bark has small spots called lenticels. These spots help the plant breathe.
The leaves are tough and feel a bit like leather. They are usually 4 to 11 centimeters (1.5 to 4.3 inches) long. The ends of the leaves are often rounded or blunt. Sometimes, they even have a small dip or notch. The edges of the leaves curl slightly towards their underside. The top of the leaves is dark green and smooth. The underside is lighter in color and has a clear pattern of veins, like a tiny network.
The leaf stems, called petioles, are twisted. They are about 3 to 10 millimeters (0.1 to 0.4 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the dwarf pawpaw grow on thin stalks. These stalks, called peduncles, are 1.5 to 4 centimeters (0.6 to 1.6 inches) long. They grow from the leaf axils, which are the spots where leaves join the stem.
The flowers are a brown-crimson color. They have a very strong smell, like yeast or rotting meat. This smell helps to attract insects. Each flower has six petals, arranged in two groups of three. The outer petals are fleshy and shaped like long ovals. They are 1.5 to 3 centimeters (0.6 to 1.2 inches) long and curl downwards.
The inner petals are also fleshy and oval-shaped. They are 0.5 to 2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches) long and are darker than the outer petals. The bottom part of the inner petals is swollen and wrinkled on the inside. The tips of these inner petals curl backwards.
Inside the flower, there are stamens, which are the male parts. They are round and about 4 to 7 millimeters (0.16 to 0.28 inches) wide. When they are ready, they are light green to pink. The flowers also have 2 to 5 carpels, which are parts of the female reproductive system.
The fruit of the dwarf pawpaw is yellow-green and shaped like a curved cylinder. It is about 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long. Inside the fruit are brown, shiny seeds. Each seed is about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) long. They are arranged in two rows within the fruit.
How the Dwarf Pawpaw Reproduces
The pollen from the dwarf pawpaw plant stays together in groups of four. A type of dark flower scarab beetle, called Euphoria sepulcralis, helps to pollinate the flowers. The flowers make several different smells. One of these smells is dimethyl sulfide, which smells like rotting things. This smell helps to attract the beetles that pollinate the plant.
Where the Dwarf Pawpaw Lives
The dwarf pawpaw likes to grow in sandy soils that drain water well. You can find it in pine flatwoods, open grassy areas called savannahs, and old fields.
Images for kids
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Botanical illustration of Asimina pygmaea
