Pawpaw fruit & Bartram's Garden

Despite having lived in & around Philly all my life, today I finally visited the Historic Bartram's Garden with Frank in tow. On the west bank of the Schuylkill river, the original 18th c. house and barn sit on a bluff that includes the restored herb, fruit, flower and tree specimen gardens of John Bartram (1699-1777) who settled the property and maintained a lifelong interest in horticulture. 

I was intrigued to learn about the indigenous Pawpaw tree on the property (widely cultivated by Native Americans). It bears a strange, banana/mango-type fruit that is edible, but currently not widely propagated or marketed. Maybe it will make a comeback with the Foodie culture's help…

http://www.bartramsgarden.org/