A Peterson Pawpaw selected as a seedling from the Blandy Experimental Farm in Virginia. In cultivation, under full sun, Rappahannock’s leaves grow upward, as opposed to the typical shingled, downward habit of other pawpaw’s in cultivation. KSU reports that this makes the fruit more visible under the canopy of leaves. Performance in the Midwest have not seen the productivity in this variety as in other but growers on the East coast have very favorable reviews. More regular and uniform shape than other pawpaw varieties. Fruit picking is easier with this cultivar due to the fruit’s shingled position on trees, not clumping, like most pawpaw’s. Great variety for fruit shipment.
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The Fruit
Fruit firm at ripening. 5.7% seed by weight. Medium-thick skin.
Fruit Quality excellent.
Fruit’s skin color when ripe yellowish color break at picking stage.
Fruit Flavor very good to excellent. Simple, clear, sweet, refreshing flavor. Lingering aftertaste
Fruit texture firm.
Flesh color creamy yellow.
Fruit size small. Averaging 3.5 oz per fruit. Some fruits may reach 7oz. in size.
Production heavy productivity.
Additional information
Botanical name Asimina triloba ‘Aidfievate’ (U.S. PP14453) given the variety name ‘Rappahannock’
Aroma pleasant but not powerful
Grafted Yes. On faster growing, specialty rootstock.
Ripening season mid-season. Mid-September in southern states.
Mature Height 13-18ft.
Mature Width 13-15ft.
Pollination requirements Plant 2 or more different varieties 8-15ft. apart.
Yield heavy bearing, with about 18-30lbs of fruit per tree. About 95 fruits per tree in East coast states, less in productive in the mid-West.
Disease / Insect No major problems with pests or disease
Growth rate medium.
