Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) | Indigenous Plant | This Land

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

[ ah-SIM-ih-nah try-LOH-bah ]

● Available Now Tree

mahchikpi

Lenape

Growing Conditions

Light ◑ Part Shade–Sun
Height ▲ 15–30 ft
Moisture 💧 Moist
Soil ◎ Rich, deep, well-drained, slightly acidic loam
Bloom ❀ Spring
Color Maroon / purplish-brown

Wildlife Value & Uses

Sole larval host of the Zebra Swallowtail; fruit eaten by opossums raccoons foxes squirrels and birds; flowers pollinated by flies and beetles
Largest native U.S. fruit — sweet custard-like pulp; needs two genetically distinct trees for fruit. Cherokee cordage from inner bark; Iroquois dried-fruit cakes. Fruit may irritate skin for some

Part of These Collections

Woodland Edge Rain Garden All Season

Sources & References

USDA PLANTS, USDA NRCS Plant Guide, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, NC Extension Gardener, Kentucky State University Pawpaw Program, Flora of Pennsylvania, Susquehanna National Heritage Area, Lenape Talking Dictionary

Last updated: September 9, 2026

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