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common pawpaw

Asimina triloba

The common pawpaw is a small tree that grows delicious, sweet fruits. Its leaves are big and green, and the tree can be found in many forests across North America.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The common pawpaw is a small deciduous tree with large, oblong leaves that turn bright yellow in fall. Its unique bell-shaped, purplish-brown flowers appear before the leaves. The kidney-shaped fruit ripens from green to yellow-brown.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMagnolialesFamilyAnnonaceaeGenusAsimina
common pawpaw
deciduous trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgefruit_bearing trait badge
common pawpaw

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

George Washington's favorite dessert was chilled pawpaw fruit!

Its unusual flowers are pollinated by flies and beetles, not bees!

Pawpaw leaves contain natural insecticides, protecting them from most pests.

The pawpaw is North America's largest native edible fruit!

Special abilities

Ability

Stinky Attractor

common pawpaw has flowers that smell like rotting meat to attract flies and beetles for pollination.

Ability

Toxin Shield

common pawpaw has special chemicals in its leaves and twigs that deter most insects and deer.

Ability

Understory Survivor

common pawpaw can grow well in the shade of larger trees, helping it thrive in forest environments.

Measurements & details

Height
300-1000 cm
Spread
200-600 cm
Flower Size
2.5-5 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Spicebush Swallowtail

Papilio troilus

larvae eat its leaves for food

eats

Virginia opossum

Didelphis virginiana

enjoys the sweet, ripe pawpaw fruits

pollinates

Blue bottle fly

Calliphora vicina

attracted to its unusual smelling flowers

eats

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

feasts on the fallen, ripe pawpaw fruits

Traits

Also known as

Custard Apple

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking or eating any fruit from trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is common pawpaw?

300-1000 cm

How wide does common pawpaw spread?

200-600 cm

How big are the flowers on common pawpaw?

2.5-5 cm

When does common pawpaw bloom?

Spring

Is common pawpaw edible?

Yes

Is common pawpaw toxic?

Mild

What is common pawpaw's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is common pawpaw pollinated?

Insect

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