A field guide to America's largest native fruit

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Wabash Pawpaw

Peterson Pawpaws

Wabash is a Peterson Pawpaws variety, bred by Neal Peterson, mid season, ripening in late summer to early fall.

Flavor
Sweet with excellent, complex flavor
Size
Large, about 6.5 oz (185 g), often round
Seed
Fleshy (~6% seed by weight)
Ripening
Mid season, ripening in late summer to early fall
Productivity
Vigorous and productive
Notes
Dark-yellow flesh; round cannonball-shaped fruit; a favorite of pawpaw researchers

What growers say

Wabash pawpaw is best known among growers for sheer vigor; one called a young tree 'the fastest growing pawpaw I ever had,' and another watched a single sucker shoot up over three feet in one season. The round, cannonball-shaped fruit is large and sweet, with a complex flavor and dark-yellow flesh that has made it a favorite of pawpaw researchers. It ripens mid-season from late summer into early fall.

A few years ago I bought a Wabash that grew like a weed, it was the fastest growing pawpaw I ever had.

Source

This summer the Wabash roots sent up suckers and I let one grow, it grew over 3 ft tall in one season!

Source

Drawn from grower discussions on growingfruit.org

Where to buy Wabash pawpaw trees

Wabash pawpaw trees ship from 8 nurseries; 2 of the 6 PawpawMap confirmed have them in stock as of Aug 9, 2026.

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 Ships

Edible Landscaping

Afton, VA

Grafted named varieties (sold out) plus Select seedling in stock; orders ship in ~2 weeks.

Nursery Ships

One Green World

Portland, OR

Ships seeds and plants to all 50 states; pawpaw varieties currently on email-when-available pre-order.

Nursery Ships

Peaceful Heritage Nursery

Stanford, KY

Grafted KSU pawpaws + seedlings; most varieties sold out, KSU Pomper's Choice due June 2026; VIP waitlist offered.

Nursery Ships

Perry Permaculture

Perry, MI

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

Nursery Ships

Raintree Nursery

Morton, WA

Mail-order bare-root/potted; 18+ pawpaw varieties priced, currently sold out.

Nursery Ships

Restoring Eden

SeaTac, WA

Ships plants year-round; current winter retail hours.

Nursery

Sleepy Gap Pawpaws

Arden, NC

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

PricingGrafted trees $45

Nursery Ships

West Farm 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

Peterson Pawpaws

Shenandoah

Mid season, ripening in September

Mild, sweet and mellow with a custardy texture; an easy introduction to pawpaw for new tasters

Peterson Pawpaws

Susquehanna

Late season

Rich and very sweet with a firm, almost buttery texture and a strong pawpaw character

Peterson Pawpaws

Allegheny

Early to mid season, ripening in late summer, earlier than most pawpaws

Sweet, creamy banana-custard flavor with a hint of citrus

Peterson Pawpaws

Rappahannock

Early to mid season, ripening September into October

Sweet and refreshing with a simple, not-too-strong character

Peterson Pawpaws

Potomac

Mid to late season, ripening in late summer to early fall

Sweet and smooth with a rich taste

Peterson Pawpaws

Tallahatchie

Mid to late season, ripening mid to late September in Maryland

Sweet with a well-balanced, complex flavor, a pleasant aroma and floral notes

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