Pawpaw, Pawpaw-apple, False-banana (Asimina triloba)

A shrub or small tree that forms colonies from root sprouts with straight trunk, spreading branches and large leaves 7-10" long and 3-5" wide. The fruit 3-5" long and 1-1 1/2" in diameter is berry-like and slightly curved, suggesting a small banana. It contains edible soft yellowish pulp with a flavor of custard. Found in moist soils, especially flood plains, in the understory of hardwood forests. The Pawpaw is the northernmost New World representative of a chiefly tropical family including the tropical fruits Annona, Custard-apple, Sugar-apple and Soursop. The wild fruit was once harvested, but the supply has decreased greatly due to the clearing of forests. The small crop is consumed by wildlife, mostly opossums, squirrels, raccoons and birds.