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| Leaf Photo by: Sean Fox |
Bark Photo by: Steven J. Baskauf |
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| Fruit Photo by: Sean Fox |
Tree Photo by: Sean Fox |
Pawpaw flowers are pollinated by beetles, not bees.
Pawpaw is a species unique to the Carolinian Forest zone in Southwestern Ontario around Lake Erie and the Niagara Region. It is the hardiest relative of the tropical custard apple family and is sometimes planted for its unusual edible fruit.
Pawpaw trees have large, smooth leaves up to 30 cm long and hang down giving the tree a tropical appearance. The trunk and branches are gray-brown and smooth until very old. Showy red flowers appear before the leaves emerge in spring. Yellow-green fruit are produced and fall to the ground in the fall when ripe.
Size: Up to 10 m tall
Moisture: Prefers moist to wet soils
Shade: Prefers part to full shade
Soil: Prefers rich, loam soils
Planting Tip: Young pawpaw trees have a large, thick taproot and should be transplanted from containers in spring for best establishment. More tips...
