Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

Tree
Native
Needs a second tree for fruit

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

ripe fruit pulp

Hazardous parts

fruit skin, seeds, leaves, stems

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

gastrointestinal irritation, contact dermatitis, acetogenins

Hazard route

ingestion and skin contact

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No source we checked assesses this plant for pets, so the app makes no pet claim either way.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Look-alike plants. To tell them apart: NC State lists Asimina parviflora (small-flower pawpaw) among plants often confused with pawpaw..

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: NC State lists Asimina parviflora as a plant pawpaw is often confused with. NC State also says the common name 'pawpaw' is probably a modification of the Spanish 'papaya'..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones 5a to 9b (US system).
Mature size: Height 15-30 ft; width 15-30 ft.
Family: Annonaceae (pawpaw or custard-apple family)
Where it comes from: Eastern North America (NC State: Canada and the U.S.; from Nebraska and Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Michigan east to Maine and south to Florida).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon