paw paw

Pawpaws are shrubs or small trees to 2–12 m (6–40 ft) tall. The northern, cold-tolerant common pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is deciduous.

The fetid flowers of pawpaws are produced singly or in clusters of up to eight together; they are large, 4–6 cm across, perfect, with six sepals and petals (three large outer petals, three smaller inner petals). The petal color varies from white to purple or red-brown.

The fruit of the common pawpaw is a large edible berry, 5–16 cm (2–6 in) long and 3–7 cm (1.5–2.5 in) broad, weighing from 20–500 g (1–18 oz), with numerous seeds; it is green when unripe, maturing to yellow or brown. It has a flavor somewhat similar to both banana and mango, varying significantly by cultivar, and has more protein than most fruits.