Asimina triloba
Pawpaw, Custard Apple
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 15-20' tall and wide, up to 30-40' tall in favorable conditions. A multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, with a dense pyramidal to rounded head. Often grows as a suckering, spreading colony, forming the popular "pawpaw patch." Slow to medium growth rate. Medium longevity potential. May live 100-200 years.
Native Range
Kentucky Native — Native from New York to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas, including all of Kentucky. Introduced 1736.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers: purple/reddish-brown, 1-2" across, April-May, before or as leaves develop, borne singly, 6 petals, w/ the outer 3 much larger than inner 3. The 1/2-3/4" long pedicels are interesting but not showy, seldom seen. Calyx is 3-lobed, thus the name. Fruits are large, fragrant berries, rounded/elongated, 2-5" long, greenish-yellow, bloomy, turning brownish-black. Edible, with a banana-pear-like taste and custard consistency. Usually contains 2 or 3 dark brown, 1" long, flattish to bean-shaped seeds.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves are alternate, simple, 6-12" long and half as wide, obovate-oblong, entire, acuminate at tip, glabrous on top, pubescent on veins beneath, medium to dark green, with a 1/3" petiole. Yellow to yellow-green fall color. Bark is dark brown with grayish areas when young, becoming rough and slightly scaly with maturity.
Culture and Care
Somewhat difficult to transplant. Move as small plant (3-6') into moist, fertile, deep, slightly acid soils (pH 6.1-8). Likes river bottoms and rich hardwood forests. Naturally an understory tree but does well in full sun and scraggly in heavy shade. Zone 5-8. Not tolerant of flooding, drought, heat, salt or compaction. Weak-wooded. Best in a sheltered area. Susceptible to ice storms. Prefers sandy loam soil. No serious disease or insect problems.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Pawpaw is the largest native American fruit. 3-season interest: Spring, summer & fall. Although flowers are monoecious, they are protogynous, so cross-pollination by a different variety is needed for best fruit set. Fruits are high in vitamins A & C, unsaturated fats, proteins, carbohydrates, potassium & amino acids.
Suggested Uses
A good tree for naturalizing, such as along streams.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Asimina triloba 'KSU8-2' // KSU-Atwood™ Pawpaw
Tree. This 12-15' tree was the first pawpaw variety introduced by Kentucky State University breeding program. Ripening in mid-season, this variety produces up to 30 pounds of fruit, up to 150 fruits per tree for an abundant harvest of highly flavorful fruits. Recommended pollinator is KSA-Benson. Hardy to at least -20 degrees F. Starts producing fruit 2-3 years after planting. Fruits have a mango-banana-pineapple-like taste. The tree has strong, right-angle branches to support the heavy fruit load. Fruits have few seeds.
BT001376 - BT001378Asimina triloba 'Wabash' // Wabash™ Grafted Pawpaw
Tree. Fruit flavor is sweet and rich. Fruits are very large, somewhat firm, with a smooth flesh. Excellent fruit quality. A heavy producer. This is the preferred variety of Dr. Kirk Pomper, Kentucky State University Pawpaw Specialist. Trees need moist, well-drained, moderately acid soil for best production. Best production is in full sun to light shade. Drought-tolerance is fair. Deer resistant. Tree size is 15-20' tall and wide. Hardy in Zones 5-8(9). A good wildlife tree, attracting various types of upland birds and game, butterflies and songbirds. Fruits are very fleshy, creamy, smooth textured, with yellow-orange flesh, averaging 8-12 oz.
BT001377