The Paw Paw tree, Asimina triloba, is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with short trunk and rounded top that presents a semi-tropical appearance. PawPaw trees average about 15' in height at maturity. It prospers in moist soils and when placed at the edge of a wooded area as an understory tree. It is recognized by its ‘sleepy’ summer foliage and nodding bright purple flowers in the spring. The unusual 3-lobed flowers are followed by a black, edible berry, with a taste similar to banana-pear with a custard consistency.
This deciduous trees is growing in popularity largely because of the edible fruit it produces. These highly nutritous oval fruits get 2 to 5 inches long, and turn yellow-orange when ripe. The fruit is an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Two trees are necessary for pollination reasons. Fall color is a brilliant yellow.