Stone: All about the pawpaw

Have you ever heard of a pawpaw?

Have you ever indulged in its highly perishable fruit?

As this tree fruit begins to ripen, I thought it would be an excellent time to explore the world of pawpaws in this week’s column.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) trees have quite the expansive native range. They can be found throughout the Buckeye State, and most of the eastern United States except for New England, and in much of Florida.

It is a native understory or woodland edge tree, and is often found in moist places such as the bottom of a ravine or steep hillsides, or the edges of a creek bank. With that said, earlier this year I was at the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, just outside of Columbus. There was a short and stout tree that captured my attention as I walked from my car toward the building. The tree in question just happened to be in flower and I thought to myself, that looks like the blooms of the pawpaw, but that is not the preferred growing situation. As any gardener would do, I detoured and made my way to the tree and to my surprise it was indeed a pawpaw. And not just any pawpaw, but one that was full of flowers! I need to make a return trip to learn about how much fruit was produced.

The pawpaw tree can be easily recognized by its large, tropical-looking leaves and is prized for its delicious fruits that is nearing maturity in our area.

When planted in an open area, it can reach 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide as an individual tree. But often it is found in mass, or something referred to as a pawpaw patch. One tree will often give way, over the course of decades, to a sprawling pawpaw colony via its root system.

Often we think of the genus and species when we talk plants, but sometimes it is interesting to explore the plant’s family too. As a member of the Annona Family, it is related to other species of pawpaw, as well as other genera in this family that are tropical or subtropical in their origin, and is distantly related to the magnolias and tuliptree. Just a bonus and fun fact!

Pawpaw is somewhat precise in its requirements to thrive in our landscapes. As a seedling or young tree, it prefers shady sites to become established. As the intensity of sunlight increases, often the pawpaw tenders — that is you or I — will see the leaves of young trees turn brown.

As trees reach their adulthood, they can perform in full sun, especially when supplemental irrigation is provided, to full shade.

This week, I will be at Farm Science Review in London, Ohio. One of the highlights each year is actually at the Gwynne Conservation Area where there are two pawpaw orchards — one in full sun, and a second in the understory at the bottom woods of the conservation area of the farm. The trees growing in the shade are noticeably larger than those in the sun and more exposed.

When it comes to pawpaws, the recommendation is to plant two individual trees, preferably from different seed sources. This will allow for cross-pollination of their perfect flowers.

Pawpaws are essentially pest-free from both diseases and insects. The main challenge that gardeners’ experience involves establishment following transplant shock due to its sparse root system.

The dark green leaves of pawpaw have a tropical look because of their size. Their large, shiny blades are distinctly obovate, which is also described as it is the widest just behind the leaf tip. The leaves hang down like "dog ears" as described by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

While not always noticed, the maroon flowers are bell-shaped and hang downwards. They are large but often hidden in the canopy. Once you see one, it is easy to pick them out — just as I did when I was visiting ODA.

The fruit garners even more attention. The light green immature fruits are borne singly or infused clusters from the thin twigs and ripen to a yellow-brown tasty fruit in late summer, and is often quickly and swiftly consumed by wild animals if humans don’t get them first. Clustered fruits are fused at their bases because they occurred from different portions of a single fertilized flower.

So, do you have a special space for a pawpaw patch? If you want to give the fruit a try, you may want to attend the Pawpaw Festival in September of 2025. Whether it is fresh — minus the large seeds, or processed into cookies, bread, ice cream, or beer — good luck with planting your very own and enjoying the fruits of your labors!

Amy Stone is an extension educator with the Ohio State Extension – Lucas County, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Contact her at: stone.91@osu.edu.