The largest pawpaw patch within an easy day trip of Philadelphia is just south of Lancaster between the Turkey Hill overlook and the Holtwood Recreation Area. This area also encompasses the site of several important American Indian settlements. The Susquehannocks, an Iroquoian speaking Nation, lived near Conestoga Town before being brutally exterminated by the "Paxton Boys", a group of murderous Scotch-Irishmen. The Shawnee, an Algonquian speaking Nation, also lived here and the Metis Shawnee leader and trader Pierre Chartier, famous for his attempts to ban the sale of rum to Indians and for siding against the British during the French and Indian War, once resided in the area.
The "once mighty" Susquehannock are remembered in this rusty historical plaque.
A cluster of small immature pawpaws (Asimina triloba) demonstrates the "banana-hand" growth pattern.
An overstory of nut trees and an understory of pawpaws and spicebush line the Turkey Hill Overlook Trail.
These immature pawpaws needed more time to ripen.
Mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)
Smallish, seedy, rotten, but great for sowing the seeds (which I did by the dozens).
The view from the top of Turkey Hill Overlook Trail. A large landfill surrounded by barbwire fence (not pictured) lies in the opposite direction.