Papaya

Carica papaya L.

CARE-eh-caw paw-PIE-ah

Caricaceae

Explanation of name:  The botanical name Carica comes from a region of Turkey known for figs.  Papaya is a common name for the fruit.  The edible fig is Ficus carica.

Natural range:  Mesoamerica

Recognition:  Nearly herbaceous, fast-growing, with thick fleshy unbranched stem and large palmately lobed and sub-lobed leaves

Note:  Papayas may be male, female, or mixed with varied proportions of staminate and pistillate flowers.   Some require nearby pollen plants, and even sometimes hand-pollination. This varies with cultivars, age, and conditions.  They may change sex.  Staminat (male)e flowers are on long peduncles; pistillate (fruit-bearing flowers are in leaf axils.  Plant in clusters of 3 to assure pollination.

Landscape uses: Edible fruit. Propagate by seeds or by cuttings.  Protect from cold, and from wind. 

Internet sources:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg054

http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/FLPapaya.pdf