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Ann Johnson
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Gil Nelson
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Pawpaw
The pine flatwoods of Babcock-Webb are home to the largest known
population of the very rare beautiful pawpaw. Listed as endangered
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Department
of Agriculture, the beautiful pawpaw is endemic to Charlotte and
Lee counties. Flowering (usually from late March through May)
tends to occur only after a fire or mowing of new growth. The
beautiful pawpaw has fragrant white flowers and a 3-inch long
fruit resembling a lumpy bean pod. The greatest threat to the
beautiful pawpaw is destruction of habitat for residential development.
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