KSU-Atwood Pawpaw

Kentucky State University

KSU-Atwood is a Kentucky State University variety, bred by Kentucky State University, mid season, ripening September into October.

Flavor
Rich, sweet, banana-like flavor
Size
Medium-large, about 7 oz (209 g)
Seed
Moderate seed (~10% seed by weight)
Ripening
Mid season, ripening September into October
Productivity
Very high-yielding, with 150 or more fruit per tree and strong branch structure
Notes
Creamy-yellow flesh; the first pawpaw cultivar released by Kentucky State University, named for KSU president Rufus B. Atwood

What growers say

KSU-Atwood pawpaw is a heavy producer, valued for very high yields, strong branch structure and a rich, sweet, banana-like flavor. Grower feedback is genuinely mixed on quality: some call it fabulous, while others report hard, white, unripe sections in the flesh, and at least one grower in shadier conditions said they would not plant it again. It ripens mid-season from September into October.

As for KSU Atwood, it was described by KSU as an OP seedling from PPF trials (with BEF-49 ancestry).

Source

Chappell and Atwood are fabulous altho Atwood can have hard, white, unripe sections.

Source

Drawn from grower discussions on growingfruit.org

Where to buy KSU-Atwood pawpaw trees

KSU-Atwood pawpaw trees ship from 13 nurseries. Of the 11 nurseries PawpawMap checked as of Oct 7, 2026, 3 have them in stock.

Each line shows the date PawpawMap last confirmed that seller's stock. Spot a listing that is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Nursery

Taylors, SC

Seedling and grafted pawpaw trees sold at the nursery on seasonal open days; no shipping.

Nursery

Afton, VA

Grafted named varieties plus seedlings; plants ship potted year-round; nursery open daily.

Nursery

McKee, KY

Grafted pawpaw trees are local pickup only. Also sells pawpaw seeds and scionwood; contact the nursery for what they will mail.

Online

Orleans, CA

Family permaculture nursery on the Klamath River; mail-orders roughly 39 named pawpaw scionwood cultivars (Mango, Davis, Lehmans Choice, Potomac, Susquehanna and more) with live stock counts.

Nursery

Cookeville, TN

Bare-root mail-order ships November to April (dormant); pre-orders open ahead of the shipping window.

Pricing$25 to $26

Nursery

Logee's

Ships

Danielson, CT

Mail-order since 1892; pawpaw in the hardy outdoor line; hardiness-zone guidance in the store.

Nursery

One Green World

Ships In stock

Portland, OR

Ships to all 50 states; many varieties sell by email announcement rather than open stock; retail yard open daily.

Nursery

Stanford, KY

Kentucky-grown grafted trees, seedlings, seed, and scionwood; licensed to propagate KSU cultivars.

Nursery

Perry Permaculture

Ships In stock

Perry, MI

Grafted pawpaw trees ship in fall (~October); one of two MI Peterson-pawpaw licensees.

Nursery

Restoring Eden

Ships In stock

SeaTac, WA

Nursery and garden center; pawpaw among berries, exotics, and cold-hardy citrus; ships plants year-round.

Nursery

Arden, NC

Grafted Peterson/KSU trees; sells out fast each season.

PricingGrafted trees $45

Nursery

Trees of Joy

Ships In stock

Bethlehem, PA

Grafted pawpaw available late April; ships trees, seeds, and fresh-pawpaw boxes nationwide.

Nursery

Branchburg, NJ

Grafted Peterson and KSU pawpaw cultivars, pickup from mid-June; some trees sold or shipped via eBay; hosts NOFA-NJ workshops.

Pricing$110 to $160

Related cultivars

Kentucky State University

KSU-Benson

Early to mid season, ripening September into October

Appealing mango, banana and pineapple-like flavor

Kentucky State University

KSU-Chappell

Mid season

Creamy, sweet, mild banana-pineapple flavor with floral notes

Last updated

Spot an error on this page? Send a correction