🌳Tree of the Month for September 2026

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a small understory tree or large shrub native to Missouri and the greater southeastern United States. It typically grows 15–20 feet tall, though some specimens have been documented at 30 feet or taller.

Pawpaw can be found growing in bottomland woodlands, forested slopes, ravines, and along streams. While its large fruits contain multiple seeds, pawpaw often spreads through root suckers, allowing it to form colonies or thickets.

Look for: Large, elliptical, medium-green leaves that grow 6–12 inches long and have a slightly drooping appearance. The leaves remain green well into fall before turning yellow.

Spring flowers: Showy, cup-shaped purple flowers emerge in spring, followed by edible, oblong fruits that mature in early autumn. As they ripen, the fruits turn from yellowish green to dark brown.

A sweet treat: Pawpaw fruits have a soft, fleshy consistency and sweet flavor often compared to bananas or mangoes. They can be eaten fresh or used to make ice cream, pies, and other baked goods. However, the fruit may cause nausea in some people.

More than a fruit tree: Indigenous peoples have used the yellow flesh of pawpaw fruit to create yellow dyes. The fruit is also an important food source for native wildlife, including raccoons, squirrels, and opossums.

Keep an eye out for this unique Missouri native the next time you’re exploring Tower Grove Park!