ASIMINA triloba

A large shrub, or small tree, showing an interesting growth habit, often branching low; bark dark grey; young shoots reddish-brown and pubescent, turning glabrous later, shiny brown; leaves up to 25 cm long, obovate, gradually narrowing at the base, young leaves hairy, with visible fine dots, leaves turn golden yellow in autumn; flowers 3-4 cm wide, fragrant, single, bell-shaped, borne on 1 cm long, thick, rusty-brown stalks, appearing in April-May together with the leaf shoots or earlier; fruits edible, terete to oval, often in a whorl of 3, 10-20 cm in length and up to a pound in weight, greenish-yellow at first, turning brown when ripe, with soft, sweet and aromatic fruit pulp, ripening in September to October. A very lovely fruit tree due to its growth habit and foliage, which can provide high yields in warm areas. As such, this species has long been in cultivation in the southern states of the USA, and the only hardy member of the large tropical family Annonaceae. S. Zone 6b.