Papaya, Carica Papaya

FAMILY:
Carica

ORIGIN:
Central America

DESCRIPTION:
Large tree-like plant growing 16 – 33 ft. tall; lower trunk is conspicuously scarred where leaves and fruit were borne; leaves are deeply and palmately lobed with 7 lobes; tree is usually unbranched if unlopped

CULTIVATION:
Prefers moist soil conditions; the tree is dioecious in the wild but monoecious cultivars have been produced; sun

PROPAGATION:
Seed (seeds require dusting with a fungicide as fungus is a common cause of seedling loss)

COMMENTS:
Historically, indigenous Americans used the fruit which contains papain, a protease useful in tenderizing meate

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