Asimina obovata
| Asimina obovata | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons |
| Order: | Magnoliales |
| Family: | Annonaceae |
| Genus: | Asimina |
| Species: | A. obovata |
| Binomial name | |
| Asimina obovata (Willd.) Nash | |
| |
| Natural range of Asimina obovata from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Common names: Bigflower Pawpaw
Contents
Taxonomic notes
Description
A description of Asimina obovata is provided in The Flora of North America.
Asimina obovata is a long-lived perennial.[1] Such as other species in the Genus Asimina, it has a deep taproot and resprouts from a lignotuber after fire or disturbance (Kral 1960, 1993). Leaves are alternate and simple with pinnate venation[2].
Distribution
Ecology
Habitat
Asimina obovata is endemic to the xerophytic scrub and sandhill habitats in north and central Florida (Crummer 2003). Associated species include Pinus clausa, Quercus gemiata, Quercus myrtifolia, Ceratiola ericoides, Ilex opaca var. arenicola, Garberia heterophylla, and Persea humilus (Crummer 2003).
Phenology
Blooms in April <ref="Encyclopedia of Life"/>
Seed dispersal
Seed bank and germination
Fire ecology
Pollination
The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Asimina obovata at Archbold Biological Station (Deyrup 2015):
Apidae: Apis mellifera
Vespidae: Polistes dorsalis hunteri
Use by animals
In order to protect itself from herbivory, A. obovata contains a toxin called annonaceous acetogenins which inhibits mitochondrial respiration in preditors. [3] <refname="Encyclopedia of Life"/>
Gopher tortoises have been observed to eat the ripe fruit and spit out the seeds (Norman and Clayton 1986).
Diseases and parasites
Conservation and Management
Cultivation and restoration
Photo Gallery
References and notes
Deyrup, M.A. 2015. Database of observations of Hymenoptera visitations to flowers of plants on Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA.
- ↑ [Florida Native Plant Society. Accessed: November 24, 2015]
- ↑ [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Accessed: November 23, 2015.]
- ↑ [Encyclopedia of Life]Accessed November 24, 2015
