What Is This?

[mic]

I found this plant all over the IL trails I went on this weekend. It was found mainly at the top of hills and in open areas where a large tree had fallen. It averages about the head high for an average man. You can see a close up of one and dozens in the background.

I left the pic a little big for some detail.

[jdmidwest]

Looks like buckeye. Can't really tell from the pic without getting out a leaf id book.

Why do you ask?

[mic]

Why do you ask?

My reason is stupid. In areas they were thick, it looked like you were in a miniature forest (like a seen from Gulliver's Travels). Can't explain it, it was just cool.

[Outside Bend]

Looks a lot like spicebush to me, but they tend to have bright red berries this time of year. Like a dogwood, but singly as opposed to bunches.

[MOPanfisher]

Or maybe a Carolina Buckthorn.

[Kelroy]

How long were those leaves? Looks an awful lot like asimina triloba, our beloved paw paw.

[Justin Spencer]

Paw paw was my initial thought as well, but not really sure from the pics. Leaves seem too big for spicebush, and I'm not really familiar with Buckeye or Buckthorn.

[mic]

Kelroy,

I looked it up. That seems to be it. But...I'm no expert.

[Blazerman]

I have Paw Paw trees at my place by the Meramec river and that is it. It is an understory tree that doesn't get more then 10'-12' high but will spread out in large groups. Mine didn't have any fruit this year but in years past it would be loaded. The critters love them- especially the coons. I was told in the old days people would used them to make bread.

[mic]

Found this...

Harvest: Pawpaw fruit ripens during a four-week period between mid August and into October, depending on various factors. When ripe, it is soft and yields easily to a gentle squeeze, and has a pronounced perfumed fragrance. The skin of the green fruit usually lightens in color as it ripens and often develops blackish splotches which do not affect the flavor or edibility. The yellow flesh is custard like and highly nutritious. The best fruit has a complex, tropical flavor unlike any other temperate zone fruit. At present, the primary use of pawpaws is for fresh eating out of hand. The ripe fruit is very perishable with a shelf life of 2 or 3 days, but will keep up to 3 weeks if it is refrigerated at 40° - 45° F.