The North American Pawpaw is a cold-hardy temperate fruit from the USA and Canada. A member of the Annonaceae, it is related to the custard apple and soursop. The tree reaches 6 - 9 metres and can sucker and form thickets.

The 100 - 150 mm long fruit appears like an overripe banana when ripe. The flesh is rich and sweet.

'Pawpaw' from rephotograph of picture taken before 1917. Originally published in the Journal of Heredity, Vol.VIII, No.1 pp24-25, January, 1917.