Large, custard-like pawpaw fruits: Offers a unique tropical flavor blend of banana, mango, and pineapple for edible landscaping and orchards.
Exclusive zebra swallowtail host: Provides the sole food source for zebra swallowtail caterpillars, supporting local pollinators.
High resistance to pests and diseases: Requires no chemical sprays, making it easy to maintain healthy growth.
Excellent understory stabilizer: Native adaptation anchors soil and prevents erosion in shaded, damp forest floors.
Autumn fruit provides wildlife food: Nutrient-rich berries support a variety of native mammals in backyard gardens.
Summarized by Shop
Asimina triloba
The Paw Paw Tree is a fascinating, tropical-looking native deciduous understory tree renowned for bearing the largest edible fruit native to North America. Often described as a "hardy banana," this unique tree features large, drooping, vibrant green leaves that give it an exotic, jungle-like appearance. In mid-spring, beau
Botanical Name
Asimina triloba
Mature Height
15–30 feet
Mature Width
15–25 feet
Growth Rate
Slow to medium (6–12 inches early, accelerates once established)
Lifespan
30–50 years
USDA Zones
5–9
Chill Hours
400–800 hours
Sun Preference
Full shade (youth), full sun to partial shade (maturity)
Spacing
8–15 feet apart
Fruit Type
Large, greenish-yellow oblong berries with creamy yellow custard-like pulp