This native understory tree is found in colonies, propagating mainly by root sprouts. It rarely reaches a height of 20 feet. At maturity, the leaves are 6-12 inches long, alternate on the stem, but they appear fan-shaped (A). The striking flowers, up to 2 inches across, develop in April from fuzzy, green buds, then open with green pedals, which later turn reddish-purple; they appear just before the leaves (B,C,D,E). The 3-5 inch long fruit, found singly or in clusters, ripens to yellow (E). Pawpaw rarely carries fruit in our area.
Found in moist slopes and ravines, flowering in April and May. In Fontenelle Forest, uncommon; look for a colony along Camp Gifford Road at the base of Signal Ridge Trail. At Neale Woods, uncommon along Pawpaw Trail. During the past several years, a number of young tree saplings appeared at various places within Fontenelle Forest. Their sudden appearance remains unexplained.
The flesh of the ripe fruit tastes like banana custard, reflecting the common family name. The leaves are host to the Zebra Swallowtail caterpillar (Eurytides marcellus).
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