Pawpaw Preserve

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Pawpaw Preserve is a protected natural area in Palm Beach County, Florida. At 3 acres, Pawpaw Preserve is Florida's smallest natural area. The raison d'etre of the natural area is to preserve several important native species. The Pawpaw Preserve is named after the endangered four-petal pawpaw (Asimina tetramera) which is found within. [1]

Pawpaw Preserve contains at least 41 native South Florida plants, and 42 native animals. Some of the significant species found in the natural area include Opuntia stricta , West Indian mahogany, the gopher tortoise, and the red widow spider. [1]

Pawpaw preserve contains about 37-39 four-petal pawpaws, and their population appears to be "stable." [2]

The preserve is periodically mowed to simulate the effect of a forest fire, which is a necessary component of the four-petal pawpaw reproduction cycle. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Environmental Resources Management - Pawpaw". discover.pbc.gov.
  2. 1 2 "Four-petal pawpaw (Asimina tetramera), 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation" (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2025-05-09.

26°50′49″N80°3′47″W / 26.84694°N 80.06306°W / 26.84694; -80.06306