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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Pawpaw
| image = Asimina_triloba3.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Common Pawpaw in fruit
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Magnoliales]]
| familia = [[Annonaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Asimina]]''
| species = '''''A. triloba'''''
| binomial = ''Asimina triloba''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]]) [[Michel Félix Dunal]]
}}
The '''Common pawpaw''' (''Asimina triloba'') is a species of [[Asimina|pawpaw]], native to eastern [[North America]], from southernmost [[Ontario]] and [[New York]] west to eastern [[Nebraska]], and south to northern [[Florida]] and eastern [[Texas]].
==Description==
Pawpaw is a large [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] growing to a height of 11 meters (rarely to 14 m) with a trunk diameter of 20-30 cm.
The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[deciduous]], spirally arranged, broad lanceolate, 15-30 cm long, with an acute apex and an entire margin.
The [[flower]]s are produced in early spring at the same time as or slightly before the new leaves appear, each flower dark red, 2-5 cm diameter, with three sepals and six petals; they have a fetid smell.
The [[fruit]] is a large yellow-green [[berry]] 5-15 cm long, containing several brown, 15-25 mm diameter [[seed]]s embedded in the soft, edible fruit pulp.
== Conservation status ==
On a global scale, the common pawpaw has a Global [[GRANK]] of G5 (Very Common).
The common pawpaw is considered a [[threatened species]] in [[New York]], and an [[endangered species]] in [[New Jersey]].
In [[Canada]], it is only found in portions of southern [[Ontario]], where it has a National [[NRANK]] of N3 (Vulnerable) and a Provincial [[SRANK]] of S3 (Vulnerable). The [[Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources]] has given ''A. triloba'' a general status of "Sensitive", and its populations are monitored.
== Biochemistry ==
The fruit is rich in [[fatty acid]]s, the major one being [[octanoate]]. They also contain ''cis''-δ9- and ''cis''-δ11-[[hexadecenoate]], ''cis''-δ9-, ''cis''-δ11- and ''cis''-δ13-[[octadecenoate]].
The seeds have [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15730242&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum been shown] to contain the chemicals [[asimitrin]] (an adjacent ring-hydroxylated ''bis''-[[tetrahydrofuran]] acetogenin) and [[4-hydroxytrilobin]] (an adjacent ''bis''-THF ring with two flanking hydroxyl groups and an α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone with a 4-hydroxyl group). These chemicals seem to have selective [[cytotoxicity]] against [[prostate]] [[adenocarcinoma]] (PC-3) and [[colon]] adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines, thus may become a useful [[chemotherapy|chemotherapeutic]] chemical for these types of [[cancer]].
The leaves also [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9917274&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum contain] toxic annonaceous [[acetogenin]]s, making them impalatable to most insects. The one notable exception is the zebra swallowtail butterfly (''[[Eurytides marcellus]]''), whose [[larva]]e feed on the leaves. This confers protection from [[predation]] throughout the butterfly's life, as trace amounts of acetogenins remain present, making them impalatable to birds and other predators.
The [[bark]] contains other acetogenins, including [[asimin]], [[asiminacin]] and [[asiminecin]], which have [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8027979&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum been shown] to be potent inhibitors of [[mitochondria]]l [[NADH]]:[[ubiquinone oxidoreductase]], making ''A. triloba'' a promising source of [[pesticide]] and anti-[[tumour]] compounds.
==References and external links==
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220001231 Flora of North America: ''Asimina triloba'']
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=Asimina+triloba&mode=sciname&submit.x=17&submit.y=9 USDA Plants Profile: ''Asimina triloba'']
* [http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/astr.htm ''Asimina triloba'' images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]
* [http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/elements/el_report.cfm?elid=69000 Natural Heritage Information Centre / ''Centre d'information des heritages naturelles'' — '''''Asimina triloba''''']. [[Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources]] / ''Ministère des richesses naturelles''. Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2002. Accessed 4 May 2006.
* {{cite journal |quotes=no |last=Kim |first=E.J. |authorlink= |coauthors=K.M. Suh, D.H. Kim, E.J. Jung, C.S. Seo, J.K. Son, M.H. Woo and J.L McLaughlin |year=2005 |month=February |title=Asimitrin and 4-hydroxytrilobin, new bioactive annonaceous acetogenins from the seeds of ''Asimina triloba'' possessing a ''bis''-tetrahydrofuran ring |journal=Journal of Natural Products |volume=68 |issue=2 |pages=194-7 |id= |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15730242&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum |accessdate= }}
* J.M. Martin, S.R. Madigosky, Z.M. Gu, D. Zhou, J. Wu and J.L. McLaughlin. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9917274&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum Chemical defense in the zebra swallowtail butterfly, ''Eurytides marcellus'', involving annonaceous acetogenins]. Journal of Natural Products. 1999 Jan; 62(1):2-4.
* G.X. Zhao, L.R. Miesbauer, D.L. Smith and J.L. McLaughlin. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8027979&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum Asimin, asiminacin, and asiminecin: novel highly cytotoxic asimicin isomers from ''Asimina triloba''.] [[Journal of Medicinal Chemistry]]. 1994 Jun 24; 37(13):1971-6.
{{commons|Asimina triloba}}
[[Category:Magnoliales]]
[[Category:Plants and pollinators]]
[[Category:Flora of North America]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Pawpaw
| image = Asimina_triloba3.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Common Pawpaw in fruit
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Magnoliales]]
| familia = [[Annonaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Asimina]]''
| species = '''''A. triloba'''''
| binomial = ''Asimina triloba''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]]) [[Michel Félix Dunal]]
}}
The '''Common pawpaw''' (''Asimina triloba'') is a species of [[Asimina|pawpaw]], native to eastern [[North America]], from southernmost [[Ontario]] and [[New York]] west to eastern [[Nebraska]], and south to northern [[Florida]] and eastern [[Texas]].
==Description==
Pawpaw is a large [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] growing to a height of 11 meters (rarely to 14 m) with a trunk diameter of 20-30 cm.
The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[deciduous]], spirally arranged, broad lanceolate, 15-30 cm long, with an acute apex and an entire margin.
The [[flower]]s are produced in early spring at the same time as or slightly before the new leaves appear, each flower dark red, 2-5 cm diameter, with three sepals and six petals; they have a fetid smell.
The [[fruit]] is a large yellow-green [[berry]] 5-15 cm long, containing several brown, 15-25 mm diameter [[seed]]s embedded in the soft, edible fruit pulp.
== Conservation status ==
On a global scale, the common pawpaw has a Global [[GRANK]] of G5 (Very Common).
The common pawpaw is considered a [[threatened species]] in [[New York]], and an [[endangered species]] in [[New Jersey]].
In [[Canada]], it is only found in portions of southern [[Ontario]], where it has a National [[NRANK]] of N3 (Vulnerable) and a Provincial [[SRANK]] of S3 (Vulnerable). The [[Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources]] has given ''A. triloba'' a general status of "Sensitive", and its populations are monitored.
== Biochemistry ==
The fruit is rich in [[fatty acid]]s, the major one being [[octanoate]]. They also contain ''cis''-δ9- and ''cis''-δ11-[[hexadecenoate]], ''cis''-δ9-, ''cis''-δ11- and ''cis''-δ13-[[octadecenoate]].
The seeds have [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15730242&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum been shown] to contain the chemicals [[asimitrin]] (an adjacent ring-hydroxylated ''bis''-[[tetrahydrofuran]] acetogenin) and [[4-hydroxytrilobin]] (an adjacent ''bis''-THF ring with two flanking hydroxyl groups and an α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone with a 4-hydroxyl group). These chemicals seem to have selective [[cytotoxicity]] against [[prostate]] [[adenocarcinoma]] (PC-3) and [[colon]] adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines, thus may become a useful [[chemotherapy|chemotherapeutic]] chemical for these types of [[cancer]].
The leaves also [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9917274&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum contain] toxic annonaceous [[acetogenin]]s, making them impalatable to most insects. The one notable exception is the zebra swallowtail butterfly (''[[Eurytides marcellus]]''), whose [[larva]]e feed on the leaves. This confers protection from [[predation]] throughout the butterfly's life, as trace amounts of acetogenins remain present, making them impalatable to birds and other predators.
The [[bark]] contains other acetogenins, including [[asimin]], [[asiminacin]] and [[asiminecin]], which have [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8027979&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum been shown] to be potent inhibitors of [[mitochondria]]l [[NADH]]:[[ubiquinone oxidoreductase]], making ''A. triloba'' a promising source of [[pesticide]] and anti-[[tumour]] compounds.
==References and external links==
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220001231 Flora of North America: ''Asimina triloba'']
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=Asimina+triloba&mode=sciname&submit.x=17&submit.y=9 USDA Plants Profile: ''Asimina triloba'']
* [http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/astr.htm ''Asimina triloba'' images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]
* [http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/elements/el_report.cfm?elid=69000 Natural Heritage Information Centre / ''Centre d'information des heritages naturelles'' — '''''Asimina triloba''''']. [[Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources]] / ''Ministère des richesses naturelles''. Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2002. Accessed 4 May 2006.
* {{cite journal |quotes=no |last=Kim |first=E.J. |authorlink= |coauthors=K.M. Suh, D.H. Kim, E.J. Jung, C.S. Seo, J.K. Son, M.H. Woo and J.L McLaughlin |year=2005 |month=February |title=Asimitrin and 4-hydroxytrilobin, new bioactive annonaceous acetogenins from the seeds of ''Asimina triloba'' possessing a ''bis''-tetrahydrofuran ring |journal=Journal of Natural Products |volume=68 |issue=2 |pages=194-7 |id= |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15730242&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum |accessdate= }}
* J.M. Martin, S.R. Madigosky, Z.M. Gu, D. Zhou, J. Wu and J.L. McLaughlin. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9917274&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum Chemical defense in the zebra swallowtail butterfly, ''Eurytides marcellus'', involving annonaceous acetogenins]. Journal of Natural Products. 1999 Jan; 62(1):2-4.
* G.X. Zhao, L.R. Miesbauer, D.L. Smith and J.L. McLaughlin. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8027979&query_hl=33&itool=pubmed_docsum Asimin, asiminacin, and asiminecin: novel highly cytotoxic asimicin isomers from ''Asimina triloba''.] [[Journal of Medicinal Chemistry]]. 1994 Jun 24; 37(13):1971-6.
{{commons|Asimina triloba}}
[[Category:Magnoliales]]
[[Category:Plants and pollinators]]
[[Category:Flora of North America]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]