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Dwarf pawpaw

Asimina parviflora

Last reviewed: August 2026

Dwarf pawpaw (Asimina parviflora)
Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

36"–120" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 6 more states

Pollinators

flies, beetles

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Multi-stemmed understory shrub with large drooping leaves and small maroon flowers that appear before the leaves in early spring. Found in sandy woodlands and forested hammocks.

Wildlife value

Host plant for zebra swallowtail.

The exclusive larval host plant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly; produces edible fruit valued by wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Dwarf pawpaw need?
Dwarf pawpaw grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Dwarf pawpaw bloom?
Dwarf pawpaw blooms in March and April.
Where is Dwarf pawpaw native?
Dwarf pawpaw (Asimina parviflora) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 6 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Dwarf pawpaw host?
Dwarf pawpaw is a larval host plant for zebra swallowtail.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Dwarf pawpaw? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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