Wild ForageCaution

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

Also called: Appalachian banana

Understory tree with big tropical-looking leaves and custardy fruit in fall. Seeds and skin are not eaten.

Pawpaw: Whole plant — Whole plantPhoto: Lynn Harper · CC0 · source

Pawpaw: Flower — FlowerPhoto: Abigail Staffelbach · CC0 · source

Pawpaw: Habitat — HabitatPhoto: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA · CC BY 2.0 · source

Confirm EVERY point before you eat it

Large drooping leaves (6-12 in), broadest above the middle, smooth-edged, with a green-pepper-like smell when crushed
Fruit is kidney or bean-shaped, 3-6 in, green to yellow-green, in clusters of 2-9
Ripe fruit is soft like a ripe avocado, fragrant, with yellow custard-like flesh
Large, dark, bean-like seeds inside

0 of 4 confirmed. If any point does not match, it is not this plant.

Warnings

Do not eat the seeds or skin. Seeds and bark contain toxic acetogenin compounds; only the ripe flesh is edible.
Try a small amount first; some people get stomach upset. Some also get skin irritation from the fruit skin, leaves or bark, so wear gloves if you are harvesting in volume.

In season

Fruit ripens roughly August to October; maroon flowers March-May.

Habitat

Rich bottomland, stream edges and shaded understory, often in colonies.

Parts used

fruit flesh

Preparation and use

Eat ripe flesh fresh, or chill and freeze for smoothies and baking.

Harvest note

Ripe fruit spoils in days; leave unripe fruit on the tree.

Related: Pawpaw seedling →

Educational reference only. Never eat a wild plant or mushroom based on a website or app. Confirm with an experienced forager, your local extension office, or a mycological club. Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for severe symptoms.