Pawpaw- Netted (Asimina reticulata) (Florida Native)

Asimina reticulata

This flowering shrub is native to flatwoods, sandhills, and coastal areas in Florida. With small white flowers followed by an edible pawpaw fruit with tastes slightly resembling a mango with a bit of banana. Definitely one of the better tasting Florida native pawpaws. There is evidence that eating high quantities of fruit can be unhealthy. Do your own research.

     A. reticulata is a small shrub that has a deep taproot, loves our well draining sandy soil, and is adapted to regular fires and long periods of drought. A. reticulata loves full sun but can be grown in dappled light to partial shade. In fact, if transplanting, part shade is preferred to full sun until established.

    The netted pawpaw is a larval host for the Zebra swallowtail butterfly and the Pawpaw sphinx moth. The shrub typically grows between 2 and 4 feet but can grow taller. The plant is identified by long taproots, long narrow ovate leaves with a blueish dusty tint, and small fruits. This shrub is one of the first in early spring to flower, often before new leaves flush out, and will make a great addition to any landscape with the right conditions. To increase the likelihood of fruit set, it's recommend to plant more than one.

This plant is what’s known as a deciduous plant.

Deciduous plants naturally shed their leaves in the fall and enter a dormant state for the winter. This is a critical survival strategy that allows the plant to conserve energy and rest its systems during the colder months. While the leaves fall away, the stems and root system remain alive and vital, waiting for the signal to wake up.

​Contrary to some in the plant industry, we continue to sell our deciduous plants even when dormant in the winter because that is the best time to transplant. So yes, until spring emergence, you will be buying what looks like a stick in a pot. Rest assured, every plant's root system is thoroughly inspected before shipping.

Just like everything else we sell, these plants are all organically grown in house. We do not use any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and blend our own potting soil from scratch based on each plant species' needs. Unlike other nurseries, we do not focus on the size of the plant, but rather the condition of the roots. We grow everything with your long-term success in mind, rather than what it will look like "on the shelf"