Pawpaw Asimina triloba

The only fruit tree that is native to Pennsylvania, pawpaws produce a unique fruit that has a short shelf life. Most often described as tasting like banana/mango custard, the fleshy yellow fruit may be eaten raw or baked in pastries. Wildlife consumes them, too. Different varieties produce fruits of varying size, shape, and seediness. Tulip-like, maroon flowers hang from the limbs in the spring and are pollinated by flies and beetles. Trees typically won't flower until they're at least seven years old. There must be more than one tree for fruit production as pawpaws are trioecious and cannot self-pollinate. These trees, with their large leaves, do well in an understory, but will produce more fruit in sunnier spots. They prefer soils that are high in organic matter.