Carica papaya
Family: Caricaceae
Common Name: Papaya

While the name 'pawpaw' is mostly used worldwide, both pawpaw and papaya are common names for the same species, Carica papaya. A native of South America, this tree is now grown in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world for the delicious fruit, which varies substantially in size. The thick flesh ranges in colour from yellow to orange and contains numerous inedible seeds. It is usually eaten raw, but can also be used in jams, pickles and chutneys. Papaya juice is also delicious. C. papaya grows rapidly to about 6 m (20 ft). The soft stems contain no woody tissue and the crown is comprised of a cluster of lobed, pal-mate leaves and yellow flowers.

Cultivation

Outside the tropics and warm sub-tropics, grow as a foliage plant in a warm green-house or conservatory. It will do well in a large pot or tub of rich, well-drained, soil-based potting compost. Ensure good light (but shade from strong sun), and a humid atmosphere. It can be propagated from seed or cuttings, both with bottom heat. Trees produced for fruiting are generally grafted. Gardeners in the right climate for growing pawpaws outside for fruit should bear in mind that the trees are mostly dioecious, so a male plant is necessary to pollinate the separate female plant, though at times the flowers can be bisexual. In the tropics, dioecious plants may bloom about five months after the seed has been sown and will bear eight months later, between 20 and 50 fruits at any one time.

Climate

Tropical, but can be grown in warmest parts of zone 10.