The papaya, papaw, or pawpaw is the plant Carica papaya, one of 21 accepted species in the genus Carica of the Caricaceae family. It was domesticated first in Mesoamerica, which includes modern-day southern Mexico and Central America. It is grown in several countries in tropical climate zones.

The fruit of the Asimina triloba tree, which is native to the eastern United States and southern Canada, is pawpaw. Pawpaws are the most northern members of the Annonaceae plant family, which primarily consists of tropical and subtropical plants. 

The fruit of the Asimina triloba tree, which is native to the eastern United States and southern Canada, is pawpaw. They have a sweet, tropical flavor and are the largest edible fruit native to North America.