PAPAYA FRUIT Carica papaya
SKU: 1730-15
Description
Native to tropical America, papaya originates from southern Mexico and Central America. Papaya is also considered native to southern Florida, introduced by predecessors of the Calusa no later than 300 CE. Spaniards introduced papaya to the Old World in the 16th century. Papaya cultivation is now nearly pantropical, spanning Hawaii, central Africa, India, and Australia.
The papaya is a small, sparsely branched tree, usually with a single stem growing from 5 to 10 m (16 to 33 ft) tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk. The leaves are large, 50–70 cm (20–28 in) in diameter, deeply palmately lobed, with seven lobes.
The fruit is about 15–45 cm (6–17+3⁄4 in) long and 10–30 cm (4–11+3⁄4 in) in diameter. It is ripe when it feels soft (as soft as a ripe avocado or softer), its skin has attained an amber to orange.
Papaya skin, pulp, and seeds contain a variety of phytochemicals, including carotenoids and polyphenols, as well as benzyl isothiocyanates and benzyl glucosinates, with skin and pulp levels that increase during ripening. The carotenoids, lutein and beta-carotene, are prominent in the yellow skin, while lycopene is dominant in the red flesh.
Papaya seeds also contain the cyanogenic substance prunasin, are poisonous and should not be eaten.
Type: Hardy tree
Hardiness zones: 9-12
Location: Sun
Seeds per pack: 15
Germination: Place the seeds just under the surface of the soil, water in, and place in a warm location. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period.
Description
Native to tropical America, papaya originates from southern Mexico and Central America. Papaya is also considered native to southern Florida, introduced by predecessors of the Calusa no later than 300 CE. Spaniards introduced papaya to the Old World in the 16th century. Papaya cultivation is now nearly pantropical, spanning Hawaii, central Africa, India, and Australia.
The papaya is a small, sparsely branched tree, usually with a single stem growing from 5 to 10 m (16 to 33 ft) tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk. The leaves are large, 50–70 cm (20–28 in) in diameter, deeply palmately lobed, with seven lobes.
The fruit is about 15–45 cm (6–17+3⁄4 in) long and 10–30 cm (4–11+3⁄4 in) in diameter. It is ripe when it feels soft (as soft as a ripe avocado or softer), its skin has attained an amber to orange.
Papaya skin, pulp, and seeds contain a variety of phytochemicals, including carotenoids and polyphenols, as well as benzyl isothiocyanates and benzyl glucosinates, with skin and pulp levels that increase during ripening. The carotenoids, lutein and beta-carotene, are prominent in the yellow skin, while lycopene is dominant in the red flesh.
Papaya seeds also contain the cyanogenic substance prunasin, are poisonous and should not be eaten.
Type: Hardy tree
Hardiness zones: 9-12
Location: Sun
Seeds per pack: 15
Germination: Place the seeds just under the surface of the soil, water in, and place in a warm location. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period.
