Trees or shrubs with alternate exstipulate leaves, tetrame-rous calyx and corolla, numerous stamens, consolidated fruit, and seeds with ruminate albumen. Nearly all the species are tropical except the following : Asimina triloba. - A small tree or shrub, native of North America, where it is known under the name of Common Papaw. Leaves deciduous, obovate - lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, hairy when young. Flowers campanulate, of a chocolate brown, about 2 inches in diameter, produced between the upper leaves. Fruit oblong pulpy, 2 to 3 inches long, yellow and edible.