Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) 

Height, Spread: 15-20 ft. for both

Water/Soil: Moist-Occasionally wet, Well-Drained, Acidic

Light: Deep Shade-Full Sun 

Bloom: Spring, Burgundy flowers

Native Range: Eastern USA

Qualities: Host Plant, Wildlife Resource, Edible Fruit, NC Native

Notes: Deciduous understory fruit tree. Edible fruit ripens in late summer to early fall and tastes like banana custard. They require shade until fully established at about 4 years old. For proper pollination, get at least 2 plants. Host plant to Zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus).