The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Mary Foos Johnson pawpaw

Family: Annonaceae (custard-apple family)

Distribution: Species native to e. North America

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: Mary Foos Johnson pawpaw is one of about 68 cultivars, most of which have been selected for improved fruiting characteristics. This cultivar has fruits that mature in late summer, 2-5" in length and weigh up to around one-half pound. Pawpaws flower in early spring before the leaves unfold with six purple, recurved petals, ½-¾" long. Leaves are alternate, simple, smooth-margined, 6-12" long and take on an attractive clear yellow fall color. Pawpaws form small trees to around 20' with rounded to oval habit. They have been quite resistant to deer browse but are a bit difficult to transplant. Mary Foos Johnson originated in Aurora, Oregon and is considered closely related to the cultivar 'Sunflower', which is self-fertile.