Paw Paw
(Asimina triloba)
The beautiful Zebra Swallowtail seen here nectaring on butterflybush. Pawpaw trees provide caterpillar food for Zebra Swallowtails.
Read more about the use of Pawpaw trees for butterfly gardening in a reprint of an article from Butterfly Gardener magazine:
Caterpillar Food Plant: Pawpaw
Importance as a butterfly nectar source:
The Pawpaw tree is not a source of butterfly nectar.
Importance as a caterpillar food source:
Zebra Swallowtails use Pawpaw leaves as a food source. Individual pale green eggs are generally laid on the lower leaves. If you want to find the caterpillars, check the underside of the leaves as this is where they live and eat.
Cultural Requirements
| USDA Hardiness Zone | Zone 5 |
| Bloom Period | Spring |
| Bloom Color | Purple-brown usually before leaves appear |
| Plant Height | Small tree up to 40 feet tall |
| Plant Spread | Often multi-stemmed from suckers |
| Light Exposure | Sun to light shade |
| Soil Moisture | Well drained |
| Animal/Disease Problems | None but can be hard to transplant |
Native Range
Plant Rating
Plant rating scale ranges from 0 to 3. Plants rating 3 are the most useful for butterfly gardens. For more details on the ratings, see Native Plant Ratings
| Garden Rating | 2 |
| Nectar Rating | 0 |
| Caterpillar Rating | 3 |