Tom Wahl of Red Fern Farm www.redfernfarm.com developed this cultivar from seed in an experimental breeding program. Tom writes "The tree right next to Regulus also turned out to be exceptional, and I named it 'Rigel'. I have continued to follow this pattern of naming pawpaws after bright stars. I have two patches of bearing pawpaws, and I have been naming exceptional seedlings in the north patch after stars that are visible in the northern hemisphere". Tom describes this tree as "large fruit, heavy bearing, low seed, excellent flavor, mid season".