Key Points
- Provenance: A historical selection discovered by Homer Jacobs in West Virginia, circa 1934–1945.
- Fruit Attributes: Produces medium-to-large sized fruits with a rich orange-yellow creamy pulp.
- Flavor: Celebrated for its "clean" sweetness; features a complex profile of honey, melon, and tropical pineapple.
- Seasonality: A mid-season harvester, typically peaking in September.
- Cold Hardiness: Resilience through USDA Zone 5 (roughly -20 to -25 °C).
- Pollination Requirements: Not self-fertile; requires cross-pollination from another high-quality variety.
- Tree Profile: Naturally compact growth habit, reaching a manageable 2.5 to 3.5 meters in height.
- Skin Integrity: Notable for having a relatively thick and durable skin, which aids in handling and shelf life.
Variety Description
Summary
Sweet Alice is a legendary pawpaw cultivar with nearly a century of history, originally selected from a wild 1934 seedling by Homer Jacobs in West Virginia. It is a "time-honored" variety that has survived the test of time due to its exceptional dessert quality and robust performance in southern and temperate regions. Characterized by medium-sized fruits with a saturated orange-yellow interior, it is prized for a flavor profile that ranges from honeyed melon to tropical pineapple with subtle spicy undertones. Its compact growth habit and relatively durable skin make it an excellent choice for home orchards and small commercial trials.
Foundations and Pedigree
Originally brought to the Holden Arboretum in Ohio, Sweet Alice remains one of the oldest and most respected selections still in active cultivation. For many growers, it represents a "wonderland of flavors" that surprises even experienced pawpaw enthusiasts. It is often used as a benchmark for skin durability in breeding programs.
Fruit Specifications: The Golden Classic
Physical Attributes: The fruits are consistently mid-sized, typically ranging between 122g and 160g. Skin and Pulp: The skin is uniquely tough for a heritage pawpaw, providing superior protection against bruising. Inside, the pulp is a deep, vibrant orange-yellow. Palette: Known for its balanced tropical profile. It avoids any bitter "wild" notes, offering instead a clean medley of pineapple, cinnamon, and ripe melon. Sugar Stability: With Brix levels averaging 20.5 to 21.2, it provides a satisfyingly sweet experience without being cloying.
Orchard Integrity
Efficiency: Sweet Alice is a reliable producer that typically begins bearing by its third year of established growth. Growth Habit: The tree is naturally slow-growing and compact, making it ideal for high-density plantings or small urban gardens with limited space.
Management and Logistics
Maturity Timing: As a mid-season variety, it is well-suited for a wide range of climates, ripening reliably before the first heavy frosts of autumn. Pollination Strategy: To ensure a high fruit set, plant alongside other reliable pollinating varieties like Sunflower or Susquehanna.
Environmental Adaptation
Provably hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. It is particularly well-adapted to the heat of southern regions like Alabama while maintaining solid cold tolerance for northern winters.
Conclusion
Sweet Alice is more than just a historical novelty; it is a high-performance cultivar that continues to earn its place in modern orchards. Its combination of compact growth, clean tropical flavor, and superior skin durability makes it a "safe" and highly rewarding choice for any collector. For those seeking a variety with a deep heritage and a refined, sweet palate, Sweet Alice remains an indispensable piece of the pawpaw landscape.
Breed Performance Summary
| Indicator | Cultivar Metric |
|---|---|
| Heritage Line | Homer Jacobs Selection (West Virginia, 1934–1945) |
| Average Fruit Mass | Medium (122–160 g) |
| Flavor Class | Sweet / Honey / Pineapple / Cinnamon |
| Flesh consistency | Orange-Yellow / Melting Custard |
| Maturity window | Mid-Season (September) |
| Growth Habit | Slow / Compact Tree (2.5–3.5 m) |
| Hardiness Grade | USDA Zones 5–8 |