Native Trees and Shrubs - Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) Pawpaw is a small native tree, usually standing around 20 to 30 feet tall. It is easily recognizable by its large ovate leaves, which give off a noticeable scent when torn or bruised. Pawpaw will sprout deep purple flowers, and grow light-to-dark green fruit that will soften when ripe. While the skin and seeds are inedible, the pulp of this fruit is edible, with the taste resembling that of a banana or mango. In the park, you will see Pawpaw growing along floodplains and moist forests. This species will form dense thickets, as they can grow additional stems from root suckers and create a clump from the same individual.
20 to 30 feet tall. 20 to 30 feet
20 to 30 feet tall. 20 to 30 feet