''Asimina longifolia'', the slim-leaf pawpaw or polecat-bush, is a shrub in the custard apple family. It is native to the

Southeastern United States The Southeastern United States, also known as the American Southeast or simply the Southeast, is a geographical List of regions in the United States, region of the United States located in the eastern portion of the Southern United States and t ...

where it is found on the coastal plain. Its preferred habitat is dry pinelands or dry maritime forests. There are two named varieties: *''A. longifolia'' var. ''longifolia'' - Only found in

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

and

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

. *''A. longifolia '' var. ''spatulata'' - Found from southern

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

to southern

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

. It is unclear if the two varieties should be considered distinct species. This group is in need of further taxonomic study.

Description

It is a small bush 2 to 3 feet in height. Prominent features include long narrow leaves, 4 by inches, and white flowers. Its pollen is shed in permanent tetrads.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q730434 longifolia Flora of the Southeastern United States Endemic flora of the United States