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You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Trees / Asimina triloba ([Common] Pawpaw)

Asimina triloba ([Common] Pawpaw)

Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) tree in April.
Acetogenins in the bark of pawpaw are being studied for their potential use in cancer therapy.Photo © Elaine Mills
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) bell-shaped flowers in May
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) flower in May
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) leaves and fruit
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) with fruit in July
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) tree in August

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Unpalatable to deer, Pawpaw is increasingly prevalent in the upland understories deer frequent. It commonly grows in river valleys and bottom- lands in the Mid-Atlantic Region from southern Pennsylvania through Virginia. Its fruit, with a complex tropical taste (some say banana-mango-citrus) and custard-like texture, is the largest edible fruit native to North America and gives rise to common names like False Banana and Custard Apple. Tried and True Native Plants of the Mid-Atlantic Tree July & October Trees, Foliage, Flowers, Fruit Height: 15–30 feet Spread: 15–30 feet Bloom Color: Maroon Characteristics Round, small, short-trunked deciduous tree or large, multi-stemmed shrub with suckering habit Dark green, oblong, leaves, 6–12 inches long Bell-shaped, 6-petaled, maroon flowers April to June Edible,* tropical-tasting, green berry, 3–6 inches long, ripens to yellowish late summer/early fall Fall foliage dull to bright yellow to copper Smooth brown to lenticel-speckled gray bark Spreading root suckers can form colonies Attributes Tolerates wet soil and black walnut; no serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Ethnobotanic use as yellow dye from fruit pulp Attracts flies & beetles to pollinate flowers; birds, mammals, and box turtles eat fruit; larval host of Zebra Swallowtail butterfly & Pawpaw Sphinx moth Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Elaeagnus angustifolia & E. umbellata - Russian-olive & Autumn-olive Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Rhamnus cathartica & R. frangula - Common Buckthorn & Glossy Buckhorn Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Plant two or more genetic strains to produce best fruit *Eat pulp raw (cut fruit in half and scoop out) or use for custard, pies, or ice cream. Don’t eat skin or seeds. Some find the taste vile, experience gastrointestinal upset, or develop skin irritation when handling. Fruit can pose a litter problem if not eaten or harvested. Use as a fruit tree or in rain or native plant gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 5-9 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free (July tree, foliage) and Christa Watters (fruit), Simpson Gardens, Alexandria, VA and by Elaine Mills (October tree), Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and (flowers) National Garden, US Botanic Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Asmina triloba ([Common] Pawpaw) 

Unpalatable to deer, Pawpaw is increasingly prevalent in the upland understories deer frequent. It commonly grows in river valleys and bottomlands in the Mid-Atlantic Region from southern Pennsylvania through Virginia. Its fruit, with a complex tropical taste (some say banana-mango-citrus) and custard-like texture, is the largest edible fruit native to North America and gives rise to common names like False Banana and Custard Apple.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets