Papaya
Carica papaya
Non-native
Family: Caricaceae
Size: 15'- 30' high
Identification
Food and health uses
Fruit is edible. Ripe papayas are most commonly eaten fresh.
Green papaya is frequently boiled and served as a vegetable. Unripe papaya is never eaten raw because of its latex content.
Young leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach.
Both green papaya fruit can be used to tenderize meat.
Black seeds of the papaya are edible and sometimes ground and used as a substitute for black pepper.
In tropical folk medicine, the fresh latex is smeared on boils, warts and freckles and given as a vermifuge.
A root decoction is claimed to expel roundworms.
Dried leaves have been smoked to relieve asthma or as a tobacco substitute.
More information
Papaya Trees in Yum Garden
Papaya Leaves and Fruit
Papaya Fruit
Papaya flowers and newly forming fruit
Male papaya plant in flower