If they are suckers from the root system of a wild tree they will be clones of that tree. If it is a grafted tree, they will be clones of the root stock.

I know this. It is not a wild tree, but I do not know if it is grafted. So I am hoping someone can tell by the leaves if it is a paw paw or not.

I've never heard of asimina being grafted to anything other than a seedling asimina. So even if yours is grafted, anything coming from the rootstock would still be a paw paw, just not necessarily the same variety as the scion, or top. If yours is a named variety, it's almost certain that it's grafted, as growing asimina triloba from cuttings is very difficult, if not impossible. If yours is a plant grown from seed, then the root sprouts (pups) will be identical to your mature tree. So either way, you've got paw paw babies.

think of it this way ...

the cost of grafting usually dictates that you put something of higher value above the graft ... so root stock is usually of lesser value .. or chosen for its vigor .. not its end result ...

else.. why waste 3 to 5 years growing root stock ... and the valued momma plant.. so as to spend 3 more years growing a grafted plant to salable maturity ...

imo.. the odds of anything of much value coming out of root stock are infinitesimal ...

what do you do if you cant find a graft on an older plant ... wait however many years it takes it to fruit.. and find out ....

so what do you do with the plants you are taking for a ride ... i just dont know.. i guess it depends on how much space you have to grow them on ... or just practice with growing trees in pots ... at least you will learn how to do that ...

ken

Yes, your plant does appear to be a pawpaw. Not unusual for the leaves of seedlings or plants not fully established to be relatively small.