Asimina triloba 'Pawpaw' is a Missouri native small understory tree or large shrub which typically grows 15-20' tall (sometimes to 30') and occurs in low bottom woods, wooded slopes, ravines and along streams. Cup-shaped, purple flowers appear in spring, and give way to edible, oblong, yellowish green fruits which mature in early autumn to a dark brown. Flavor and fleshy consistency of the sweet-flavored fruits resembles bananas.
I have three small trees that I purchased four years ago that are still only about a foot tall. They haven't died--they just won't grow... The leaves of the pawpaw trees are also the host plant of the zebra swallowtail butterfly. Last year I followed one of these fast moving, reclusive butterflies and watched her lay eggs on the leaves of a small tree.--I discovered that I had a mature group of pawpaw trees that just happened to be right next to the chicken coop!
This isn't the first Missouri native plant-tree-flower that I have purchased only to find growing in the wild on my property!
This is the first year that I noticed the flowers on this small tree (thanks to the butterfly) and hopefully I'll spot a caterpillar later this season...
For more info and photography of wildflowers, visit Clay and Limestone's celebration of wildflowers the 4th Wednesday of each month.