Paw | Paw

Ripe fruit should be picked from the ground, as they do not ripen well after being picked early.

Pawpaws are small, deciduous understory trees producing oblong green-to-brown fruit with a creamy, custard-like texture. They taste like a blend of banana, mango, vanilla, and pineapple. PAW PAW

Explore the pawpaw as a local alternative to imported tropical fruits, noted in this Instagram post . Ripe fruit should be picked from the ground,

These fruits were eaten by Indigenous peoples and were reportedly enjoyed by the Lewis and Clark expedition. They are sometimes referred to as "America's Best Secret Fruit". Explore the pawpaw as a local alternative to

Ripe pawpaws fall to the ground in late summer or early fall (September/October).

The tree is essential for biodiversity, serving as the sole host plant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly . Culinary and Foraging Tips:

Thriving in moist, rich bottomland forests, they are native to 26 U.S. states, ranging from the Great Lakes down to the Florida Panhandle and west to Nebraska. They grow well in shade as saplings but require full sun to produce fruit.