Pawpaw

Apple

Pawpaw

Origin / History

Originated in Paw Paw, Michigan (Downing, Beach). Elliott gives the origin as "Little Bain, Ronde, Mich." — possibly a township or neighborhood near Paw Paw. It has long been cultivated in Michigan to a limited extent, but was practically unknown to New York fruit growers at the time of Beach's writing (1905). The variety was esteemed in its place of origin for its productiveness and beauty of appearance (Downing).

Tree

Hardy; a good and regular bearer (Downing, Beach). A moderate grower (Beach). Young shoots dull grayish reddish brown (Downing). Must have suitable soil and good culture (Beach). Beach notes the variety is not recommended for planting in New York state.

Fruit

Size: Medium, according to Downing and Elliott; Beach describes the fruit as large.

Form: Roundish oblong (Downing); roundish or somewhat oblong, inclined to conic, faintly ribbed (Beach). Axis slightly oblique; sides unequal (Beach). Slightly oblique (Downing).

Stem: Medium in length (Downing, Beach); moderately slender (Beach).

Cavity: Deep (Downing, Beach). Downing describes it as narrow; Beach describes it as rather broad — a direct conflict. Beach further specifies acuminate, compressed, and irregularly russeted.

Calyx: Partially open, segments a little recurved (Downing). Medium in size, slightly open (Beach).

Basin: Medium in depth and width, somewhat abrupt, slightly furrowed and wrinkled, compressed (Beach). Not described in Downing or Elliott.

Skin: Yellow, shaded and mostly overspread with bright rich red, faintly splashed and mottled (Downing). Smooth, rather glossy, yellow overspread and mottled with attractive red, irregularly splashed and striped with carmine; prevailing color red (Beach). Red, obscurely striped (Elliott). Dots moderately numerous, variable in size, russet or light colored, rather conspicuous, often areolar (Beach); moderately sprinkled with areole dots (Downing).

Flesh / Flavor: Yellowish (Downing); tinged with yellow (Beach); yellowish (Elliott). Firm (Downing, Beach). Moderately fine-grained, rather tender (Beach). Juicy (Downing, Beach, Elliott). Subacid (Downing, Beach, Elliott); Downing specifies "brisk subacid" and rates it "rich"; Elliott describes it as "mild sub-acid, sprightly." Beach rates the flavor good to very good; Downing rates it very good.

Calyx Tube: Short, conical (Beach). Stamens basal (Beach).

Core / Seeds: Core medium in size, axile; cells closed or partly open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping. Carpels broadly roundish, slightly emarginate, slightly tufted. Seeds numerous, above medium size, rather wide, plump, acute, irregular, somewhat tufted, rather dark brown (Beach).

Season

December to June (Downing, Beach). A late-keeping winter apple (Beach).

Uses

Esteemed for productiveness and beauty of appearance (Downing). Beach notes commercial cultivation in Michigan but limited recognition elsewhere.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Pawpaw.

Western Baldwin. Rubicon. Ball Apple.

Origin, Pawpaw, Mich. Tree hardy, a good and regular bearer. Young shoots dull grayish reddish brown.

A new Apple, esteemed in its place of origin for its productiveness and beauty of appearance.

Fruit medium, roundish oblong, slightly oblique, yellow, shaded and mostly overspread with bright rich red, faintly splashed and mottled, moderately sprinkled with areole dots. Stalk medium. Cavity deep, narrow. Calyx partially open. Segments a little recurved. Flesh yellowish, juicy, firm, rich, brisk subacid. Very good. December to June.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

PAWPAW.

REFERENCES. 1. Horticulturist, 13:149. 1858. 2. Warder, 1867:728. 3. Downing, 1869:299. 4. Thomas, 1875:508. 5. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:296. 6. Farrand, Mich. Sta. Bul., 205:42. 1903.

SYNONYMS. Ball Apple (3). PAWPAW SEEDLING (1). Rubicon (3, 5). Western Baldwin (3).

A late-keeping winter apple of medium size, attractive red color and good quality. A hardy, moderate grower and regular bearer; must have suitable soil and good culture (5). It is not recommended for planting in this state.

Historical. Origin Paw Paw, Michigan (1, 3). It has long been cultivated in Michigan to a limited extent, but is practically unknown to New York fruit growers.

FRUIT.

Fruit large. Form roundish or somewhat oblong, inclined to conic, faintly ribbed; axis slightly oblique; sides unequal. Stem medium in length, moderately slender. Cavity acuminate, deep, rather broad, compressed, irregularly russeted. Calyx medium in size, slightly open. Basin medium in depth and width, somewhat abrupt, slightly furrowed and wrinkled, compressed. Skin smooth, rather glossy, yellow overspread and mottled with attractive red irregularly splashed and striped with carmine. Dots moderately numerous, variable in size, russet or light colored, rather conspicuous, often areolar. Prevailing color red. Calyx tube short, conical. Stamens basal. Core medium in size, axile; cells closed or partly open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping. Carpels broadly roundish, slightly emarginate, slightly tufted. Seeds numerous, above medium size, rather wide, plump, acute, irregular, somewhat tufted, rather dark brown. Flesh tinged with yellow, firm, moderately fine-grained, rather tender, juicy, subacid, good to very good. Season December to June.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)

Pawpaw.

Originated Little Bain, Ronde, Mich. Size, medium ; color, red, obscurely striped ; flesh, yellowish, juicy, mild sub-acid ; sprightly.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Ball Apple Pawpaw Seedling Rubicon Western Baldwin Babbitt