SCIENTIFIC NAME: Asimina triloba

COMMON NAME: common pawpaw

FLOWERS: Large, purple flowers that can be 1" to 2" across in early April. Hang down.

LEAVES: Up to 6" long with a short, grooved petiole. Smells like road tar when crushed. Very thin and moves in the wind.

GROWTH HABIT: Small tree that grows 20' to 30' tall. Have seen tree 50' tall.

OTHER: Native to low, moist sites. The fruit is 3" long and 1" wide (looks like a large peanut) and matures in late May to mid-June. Animals and people eat the fruit.