Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

The attractive, one-inch, reddish/brown flowers appear before the leaves in spring, but it is the shiny magnolia-like foliage that really makes this a handsome tree. The pawpaw is and understory tree and prefers good soil in low areas. It produces an edible, sweet fruit in the fall that tastes somewhat like a banana. This is a host plant for the zebra swallowtail. It does spread a little by suckers; however, those suckers can be controlled with an occasional mowing.

Uses: butterflies, wildflife, edible, rain garden

Bloom time: April - May

Height: 20 to 30 feet
Space: 8 to 16 feet

Light: Sun to shade
Moisture: Average to moist