Asimina triloba
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Tracheophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Order: Magnoliales |
| Family: Annonaceae |
| Genus: Asimina |
| Species: Asimina triloba |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Pawpaws are small trees, growing up to 40’ tall.
Their bark is dark brown and smooth.
Leaves are alternate and simple. They are 6-12" long, light green, tear-shaped, wider towards the end, and toothless.
Habitat & Range
Pawpaws are found in moist soils throughout much of the eastern United States.
Life Cycle
Pawpaws bloom in April to May and have maroon colored flowers. The tree’s leaves emerge after flowering.
The fruit of this plant is up to 4" long and green. It appears and tastes similar to a banana. The fruit is ripe and ready to eat when it is soft and readily falls of the tree. A wide variety of wildlife including foxes, raccoons, and oppossums feed off of the fruit in late summer to fall.
CAUTION: Potential foragers should take caution to ensure safety when trying new foods. Only eat plants that you can identify with certainty.
Featured image by James Dake.