Asimina triloba

Pawpaws provide a hint of the subtropical with their huge, droopy, obovate leaves (up to 12 inches long and 5 inches wide) on understory specimens ranging between 15 to 25 feet in height. Native to Canada and the eastern U.S., this species is commonly found in ditches, ravines and bottomland areas in wooded situations. Pawpaws are remnants of the Pleistocene Age and seeds were thought to be distributed by mastodons, mammoths and giant ground sloths.

Pawpaws prefer good drainage and acidic soil and can tolerate full sun to shady conditions. Fall color can range from chartreuse to bright gold. The six-petaled, purplish brown flowers in spring are interesting and pollinated by flies and beetles. The perfect flowers are considered mostly self-incompatible and a separate specimen as a pollen donor is recommended. However, some selections of pawpaw (i.e. ‘Sunflower’) are touted as self-fertile (personally confirmed). However, heavier fruit set is accomplished by having multiple specimens. Kentucky State University has an amazing pawpaw breeding and research program with excellent resources worth exploring.

The green fruits of the pawpaw form in summer and reach lengths of 2.5 inches to 6 inches. Pawpaw fruits are the largest edible fruits indigenous to the U.S. and have a committed fan base. The fruits, typically dropping when ripe, are eaten by birds, squirrels and other animals and the young foliage of pawpaw is the exclusive food source for zebra swallowtail larvae. The Lewis and Clark expedition consumed pawpaws.

Pawpaw fruits have a notably short shelf life, and the flesh tastes like banana custard when ripe. Other descriptions of the taste include mango, cantaloupe and pineapple and pawpaw fruits have diverse use in baked desserts, ice cream and more. Not everyone loves the taste and for some, consumption can result in gastrointestinal complaints or even skin irritation from touching the fruits.

Pawpaws in full sun have a dense, pyramidal form while more spreading, open growth is exhibited in shade. Pawpaws may slowly colonize and toxins in the bark, twigs and leaves repel deer and other nibblers. Pawpaws are tolerant of proximity to black walnuts and are low maintenance once established. New plants are typically grown from stratified seed in seven to eight years from seeding to fruiting. Many varieties of pawpaw are available and worthy of consideration for the ornamental and edible landscape.

Mark Dwyer is currently the Garden Manager for the Edgerton (WI) Hospital Healing Garden after 21 years as Director of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI). He also operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD, a landscape design and consultation business. mcdwyer@zoho.com