Pawpaw is a small understory tree with large, tropical‑looking leaves and edible, custard‑like fruits. The maroon spring flowers are pollinated by flies and beetles.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, pawpaws are most often found in rich, moist soils along rivers, streams, and lower slopes. They can form colonies via root suckers and create dense, leafy thickets.
Uses and significance
The fruits are eaten fresh or used in desserts and preserves, though they are rarely seen in stores. Pawpaw patches provide cover for wildlife, and the tree is the larval host for the zebra swallowtail butterfly.