A thicket-forming understory tree with large, tropical-looking leaves and the largest edible fruit native to North America. Pawpaw requires cross pollination and must reach 5 to 8 years of age to fruit.
Pawpaw was previously infrequent and confined mainly to mesic, low-altitude sites, but in recent decades it has increased in abundance and expanded its range into drier habitats. This increase may be due to the unpalatability of its foliage to deer.
The tree’s large, custard-like fruit, with a tropical flavor, appeals to small animals such as raccoons, opossums, and birds. Host plant for Zebra Swallowtail. Pawpaw is the host plant for various moth species including Spotted Apatelodes Moth, Asimina Webworm Moth, Pawpaw Sphinx Moth, and Speckled Talponia Moth.
There are 964 records in the project database.
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