The leaves of the paw paw plant are simple and alternate. They are narrowed at the base, and short-pointed at the tip. The blades are lance-shaped to elliptic, and the leaves are smooth on both edges. The bottom of the leaf, or the lower surface, is paler in color. The leaves are up to 1 foot long and 6in. wide, and the leaf stalks are short, thin and smooth. 

The twigs of the paw paw plant are thin, grey, smooth, and have alternate leaf scars, that are 2-ranked and resemble a horseshoe in shape. The paw paw usually has 5 to even sometimes 7 bundle traces ( scars from the veins running through the stem of the leaves) left on the twig.

The flower of the paw paw is green at first, and then turns to a deep maroon. It is born when the leaves of the plant begin to unfold. The flowers are 2 inches long and composed of 3 wrinkled, leathery sepals and six similar petals. 

The fruit of the paw paw is oblong shaped and thick. It is about 6 inches long and greenish-yellow. It ripens in September and has edible flesh and many seeds that are black. 

The buds of the paw paw plant are dark rusty brown, very narrow, and covered with golden hairs that are up to 2/3 of an inch long, and without bud scales.

Paw paw trees grow rarely up to 40 feet tall, the trunk grows up to 10 inches around, and is straight and slender.

Paw Paw's are found from New York to Michigan and Iowa, east to Florida and South to Texas. They grow in the woods, and grow together in patches (colonies). 

The fruit of the paw paw is used as food, and the bark doesn't have many uses.

The paw paw was found at Cumberland High School, 1496 IL Route 121, Toledo IL 62428