Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

mahchikpiakw

A small tree or shrub recognized by its combination of large leaves, dull red flowers, and oblong yellow-green berries. It is the only member of a large, mainly tropical plant family that is native to North America. It produces the largest edible fruit native to North America.

Have you ever tasted a pawpaw? The fruit of this native tree is sweet and custardy (we think it’s similar to a banana or mango). Native to 26 US states, this plant earns national recognition on the third Thursday of September for National Pawpaw Day. When it comes to eating local, pawpaws are it! North America’s largest native fruit has been growing in popularity for years and pawpaw aficionados can find it at farmers markets and gourmet grocery stores. The fruit is naturally high in vitamin C and B-6, as well as an excellent source of magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, and potassium. The fruits of the pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) were favored by Delaware’s Lenape who called them mahchikpi and utilized the tree for materials. Today, you can find pawpaws in jams, salad dressings, and more.

Its shelf life is short, but scientists are researching how to change that in the hopes of bringing it to supermarkets