Pawpaws (Asimina triloba) are small deciduous trees distributed across the East of the North America, from Florida to the South of Canada and from the Coast to the Midwest. Pawpaws are remarkable in different ways. They are one of the few Annonaceae species adapted to cold regions, and probably the only one that it is consumed. Their fruits were consumed by native indian americans, and later on by the settlers of the North American East Coast. These fruits has a flavor that resembles cherimoyas and mangoes.

Figure 1a: Asimina triloba lanceoate leaves

Figure 1b: Asimina triloba fruit cluster

Our project aims to characterize the genetic diversity of the pawpaw in the state of Virginia. We are interested to compare the influence of the some geographical features like the James River versus human influence in the genetic diversity and dispersion of the pawpaw populations. We are also interested to set up bases for the conservation of this genetic resource for future generations.