Asimina rugelii B.L.Rob.

RUGEL'S FALSE PAWPAW; YELLOW SQUIRREL-BANANA

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DNA data have found Deeringothamnus embedded within Asimina (Mercer et al. 2016; Li et al. 2017), causing this species to be moved back to Asimina, the genus B.L. Robinson had originally used. Compared to A. pulchella, this species has thicker and fleshier sepals and petals, yellowish to rarely red petals that are spreading, anthers with a bulbous connnective, lignified parenchymas in pedicels, 3-trace cortical vascular system in the petals, and fusion between whorls in the receptacle. Sterile hybrids with A. pygmaea have been noted. Interbreeding with A. pulchella is not known to occur (Norman 2003; Deroin & Norman 2016).

Native Endemic Endangered-State Endangered-US FACW (NWPL)