Displaying items by tag: repopulate pawpaws

Swap seeds and stories and sample local pawpaws at first Pawpaw Festival

KNOXVILLE — Multiple wildcrafters, seed collectors and general treehuggers — and wild critters — here and throughout the Southern Appalachians are really getting into wild pawpaw trees and their fruit.

Asimina triloba, the American papaw, is native to hardwood forest understories of the eastern United States, including the rich oak, hickory and maple forests of the Appalachians. It can be cultivated on private land or urban food plots, and of course grows richly in area forests. Its fruit is widely described as custard-like in texture.

There is a growing critical mass of pawpaw fans to meet occasionally and swap seed and its Knoxville’s turn to recognize the humble yet mighty local fruit. The first of what is planned to be an annual event is set 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Trailhead Beer Market, 1317 Island Home Ave.