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Introduction
Bethany pawpaw (Asimina × bethanyensis) is an accepted natural hybrid between A. manasota and A. reticulata. Tree TSAR places it in the practical Interclade Hybrids category because its parents are assigned to different infrageneric clades. The hybrid was described from Florida by DeLaney, and Plants of the World Online accepts the name and parentage. (DeLaney, 2010; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2026).
Horticultural and Agricultural Uses
No established horticultural or agricultural use is documented. The hybrid is chiefly significant as evidence of natural gene flow involving the narrowly endemic A. manasota.
Conservation Concerns
No independent formal conservation assessment was located. Because one parent, A. manasota, is critically imperiled, the occurrence of this hybrid is best interpreted within conservation planning for the parent populations and their local contact zones rather than as a separate widespread conservation unit.
Additional Information
- Plants of the World Online: Plants of the World Online (opens in a new tab) - Accepted hybrid and parentage.
References and Further Reading
DeLaney, K.R. 2010. Asimina manasota (Annonaceae), a new pawpaw from west-central Florida, with notes on variation and natural hybridization within the genus. Botanical Explorer 4: 1-68.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Asimina × bethanyensis. Plants of the World Online. Link (opens in a new tab)