Pawpaw is a fairly common colony-forming understory small tree of rich bottomlands. Dwarf Pawpaw (Asimina parviflora), which occurs on drier sites, is similar, but with smaller flowers, smaller leaves, and shorter stature. Pawpaw leaves are simple, entire, large (up to a foot long), and malodorous if crushed.
It produces unmistakable purplish-brown flowers in April.
The Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) feeds on the leaves of Asimina species as a caterpillar.
The oddly-shaped fruits are edible, if you're lucky enough to find a ripe one before it's harvested by wildlife.
Montgomery Co., MD 9/10/05.
