Common Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

native

Other Names:
Pawpaw, Hoosier Banana, West Virginia Banana, Wild Banana, Quaker Delight, Hillbilly Mango


The Common Pawpaw is a native deciduous tree found through much of Virginia. A patch of Common Pawpaw can be seen at Monticello Park on the Knoll Trail near Azalea Way. It is possible that the multiple trunks are part of a single tree from a single root system. Common Pawpaws produce the largest edible fruit from a native tree in the United States. The fruits begin to ripen in the late summer and reach their peak in September and October. The flavor has been compared to banana, with hints of vanilla, citrus, and mango. Common Pawpaw trees can grow to a height of 50 feet. Numerous species of pawpaws are in the genus Asimina, and the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly feeds exclusively on trees from this genus. It is possible that pawpaw trees contain a chemical which the Zebra Swallowtail eats, thereby making it unpalatable for birds.

Identification Tools

National Park Service Missouri Botanical Garden Illinois Wildflowers Lady Bird Johnsn Wildflower Center VA Tech Dendrology NC State Extension NC Cooperative Extension Ohio DNR Division of Forestry

Ranges

North America Virginia

Pawpaw flowers
Common Pawpaw flowers are a deep red, but some start out green

Pawpaw flowers
A new green Common Pawpaw flower

Pawpaw flowers
A green Common Pawpaw flower turning red

Pawpaw flowers
Common Pawpaw flowers and young leaves

Pawpaw flowers
Common Pawpaw flowers are easy to overlook, but are quite pretty when noticed.

Pawpaw flowers
Cluster of Common Pawpaw fruit

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