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]