pawpaw

Plant Type

Small Tree/Large Shrub (10-25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

15-30 ft. tall
15-30 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Deer, Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Poorly Drained Soil

Propagation

By seed

Plant Propagation Notes

Seeds should be collected from mature fruit in autumn after they’ve fallen onto the ground. Wash fruit pulp off seeds. Bury seeds 1in deep in a pot of soil. Cold stratify by placing seeded pot into a refrigerator for 60-90 days. Once removed, seeds will germinate after about 60 days. Alternatively, sow seeds outdoors in a shady area in autumn for natural cold stratification.

Plant Planting Notes

Multiple trees are needed for sufficient pollination for fruit production. Although pawpaw do well in all light conditions, plant trees in a sunny location if fruit is desired. Pawpaw roots may set out suckers.

Plants/Diseases

Pawpaw rarely succumb to serious pests or disease, though many birds and mammals will enjoy the fruit. Caterpillars eat pawpaw leaves but rarely cause significant harm. Pawpaw peduncle borer larvae can harm flowers by burrowing into the flower stalk. Pawpaw living in humid conditions may be infected by the fungal disease bordered leaf spot (Phyllosticta asiminae) which can causes black spots and fruit cracking.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae, Fruit/seeds for birds, Supports numerous caterpillars (bird food)

Leaves

Simple, alternate, oblong, hairless, with smooth edges. Leaves smell like green pepper when crushed.

Flowers

Deep purple, copper, or burgundy with 6 petals.

Fruit

Green, yellow, then brown when ripe. Large, >3in, fleshy, and smooth. Taste similar to bananas.

Bark

Light brown or gray. Smooth with lenticels.

Toxicity

Low severity toxin. Acetogenins may cause skin irritation and/or intestinal pain in some people.

Edibility

Fruits are edible but may cause digestive upset for some people. Do not consume leaves or stems.

Ethnobotanical Use

Native Americans and European settlers ate pawpaw fruit. Fruit can be eaten raw, turned into jams, dried, or baked into cakes.

USDA Hardiness Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Full Shade

Soil Moisture

Medium, Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Fertile and moist forest understory in flood plains and bottomlands.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Pawpaw is common in the Coastal Plain, common in the Piedmont, and common in the Mountains.