Pawpaw (Common Pawpaw, American Papaw)
Asimina triloba · Annonaceae (Custard Apple family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Obovate to obovate-lanceolate
Margin
Entire (smooth)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate venation with prominent raised midribs and secondary veins.
Key Features
Large, drooping obovate leaves with smooth margins and a distinct unpleasant or yeasty odor when crushed; twigs with naked, rusty-brown winter buds; fleshy green fruit resembling small mangoes.
Description
It features drooping, tropical-looking foliage, smooth dark brown bark, distinctive maroon flowers in spring, and oblong, custard-like greenish-yellow fruits in autumn.
Habitat
Understory tree of moist, rich deciduous forests, particularly along floodplains, river bottoms, and shaded ravine slopes.
Native Range
Native to eastern, southern, and Midwestern United States, extending from New York west to southeastern Nebraska, and south to Florida and eastern Texas.