Asimina pygmea
Photo by Mark Hutchinson. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
8B 9A 9B
2002-2022, Copyright Florida Native Plant Society
Dwarf Pawpaw, Gopherberry
Annonaceae
Plant Specifics
| Size: | 1.5 - 2.0 ft tall by 1 - 1.5 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | White,red,green | |
| Fruit Color: | Green | |
| Phenology: | Blooms in late spring | |
| Habitats: | Flatwoods, scrub, sandhill |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Specimen plant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: | Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wildlife
Birds and small wildlife consume the fruit.
The fruit of dwarf pawpaw is sometimes called gopherberry because the fruit is eaten by gopher tortoises.
Larval host to the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus)and pawpaw sphinx (Dolba hyloeus). Pollinated by flies and beetles.