Asimina triloba, commonly known as the pawpaw, is a native understory tree prized for its large tropical looking foliage and custard flavored fruits. Its maroon spring flowers emerge before the leaves and are pollinated by flies and beetles, leading to oblong fruits with a soft banana mango like flavor. Adapted to woodland edges, it thrives in moist fertile soils and forms colonies through root suckers over time offering shade and ecological value.
Height & Spread: 15 - 30 ft x 15 - 20 ft
Bloom Time: April to May
Light Requirements: Part shade to full sun
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil
Watering Needs: Regular watering, especially in establishment years
Deer Resistance: Moderate; young plants may need protection
Native Status
Asimina triloba is native to the eastern United States and thrives naturally in woodland habitats, particularly in floodplains and along streams. It is one of the few fruiting trees indigenous to North America with large edible fruits.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Host plant for the Zebra Swallowtail which lays its eggs on the foliage. Larvae feed exclusively on pawpaw leaves.
Beetles & Flies
- Pollinated primarily by carrion flies and sap beetles attracted to its dark slightly fetid flowers.
Birds
- Birds such as blue jays and woodpeckers feed on fallen fruits and help disperse seeds throughout woodland areas.
Mammals
- Raccoons, opossums, and foxes are among the many native mammals that feed on ripe pawpaw fruit in late summer.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 15 - 20 ft apart to accommodate mature canopy spread and ensure proper airflow for fruit production.
Landscape Placement:
- Plant along woodland edges, stream banks, or as part of edible landscapes. Works well in naturalistic or permaculture plantings and attracts wildlife with its foliage and fruit.
Companion Plants
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster) - Brings light purple fall color to the understory and supports native bees and butterflies.
- Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) - Provides dark edible berries and spring flowers thriving in similar moist soils alongside pawpaw.
- Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) - Offers pink blooms in midsummer and grows well in the same moist sunny to partly shaded conditions.
- Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood) - A small native tree with layered branching that mirrors pawpaw’s understory presence and supports pollinators.
- Packera aurea (Golden Groundsel) - A native groundcover with golden spring blooms that spreads easily beneath pawpaw groves.