Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

• Botanical Name: Asimina triloba
• Common Name: Pawpaw, Custard Apple, Wild Banana, Indiana Banana
• Native Range: Southeastern United States
• Zone: 5 to 9
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Height: 15 – 30 feet
• Spread: 15 – 30 feet
• Water: Medium to wet
• Maintenance: Low
• Flower: Fragrant, Insignificant
• Bloom Description: Red
• Bloom Time: April – May
• Leaf: Good Fall color
• Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
• Tolerate: Wet Soil, Black Walnut, Deer

Asimina triloba, more commonly called Pawpaw, Wild Banana, or Indiana Banana, is a small understory tree or large shrub native to Southeastern United States and northward through Ohio.

Typically found in low bottom woods, slopes, ravines and river valleys. Large, slightly drooping, elliptical, medium green leaves turn to a bright yellow in Fall, giving it nice fall appeal.

Lip-like, cup-shaped burgundy red flowers appear in spring, and give way to large, edible, oblong, yellowish green fruits which ripen from mid-August to October and should be soft enough to come off the tree with a gentle squeeze. The ripe Pawpaw will have a pronounced perfumed fragrance. The highly nutritious flesh will have a consistency of custard and a unique flavor, resembling a vanilla banana blend.

Once a staple in Indigenous and early settlers’ diets, the pawpaw is now considered a rare delicacy. This tropical-flavored treat is the largest fruit native to North America and is the State wild fruit of Ohio.

Two Pawpaw trees are required for good pollination and heavy fruit set.