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{{Taxobox
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{{Plantbox
| color = lightgreen
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| color = IndianRed
| name = Papaya
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| common_names = Papaya, tree melon, papaw
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| growth_habit = [[Tree]]
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| high = 15-30 ft (4.5-9m)
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| wide =
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| origin = Mexico, C America
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| lifespan = [[Perennial]]
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| exposure = Sun, reflected heat
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| water = Regular
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| features = Fruit
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| hardiness = Frost sensitive
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| usda_zones = 9-11
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| sunset_zones = 21, 23-27, greenhouse
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| name = Carica papaya
 
| image = Koeh-029.jpg
 
| image = Koeh-029.jpg
| image_width = 200px
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| image_width = 150px
 
| image_caption = Papaya tree and fruit, from Koehler's ''Medicinal-Plants'' (1887)
 
| image_caption = Papaya tree and fruit, from Koehler's ''Medicinal-Plants'' (1887)
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| regnum = Plantae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| divisio = Magnoliophyta
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = [[Brassicales]]
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| ordo = Brassicales
| familia = [[Caricaceae]]
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| familia = Caricaceae
| genus = ''[[Carica]]''
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| genus = Carica
| species = '''''C. papaya'''''
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| species = C. papaya
| binomial = ''Carica papaya''
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| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
   
}}
 
}}
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Growth Habit: The papaya is a short-lived, fast-growing, woody, large herb to 10 or 12 feet in height. It generally branches only when injured. All parts contain latex. The hollow green or deep purple trunk is straight and cylindrical with prominent leaf scars. Its diameter may be from 2 or 3 inches to over a foot at the base.
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The '''papaya''' (from [[Carib]] via [[Spanish language|Spanish]]), is the [[fruit]] of the [[tree]] ''Carica papaya'', in the genus ''[[Carica]]''. It is native to the tropics of the Americas, and was cultivated in [[Mexico]] several centuries before the emergence of the [[Mesoamerica|Mesoamerican classic cultures]].
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Foliage: The leaves emerge directly from the upper part of the stem in a spiral on nearly horizontal petioles 1 to 3-1/2 feet long. The blade, deeply divided into 5 to 9 main segments, varies from 1 to 2 feet in width, and has prominent yellowish ribs and veins. The life of a leaf is 4 to 6 months.
Nowadays, the papaya is also known as '''fruta bomba''' (Cuba), '''lechosa''' (Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic), '''mamão''', '''papaw''' ([[Sri Lanka]]n English), '''Papol''' \ '''Guslabu''' (Tree melon - in [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]] ), '''pawpaw''' or '''tree melon''', as well as '''tree melon''' (木瓜) in [[Chinese language|Chinese]] and '''đu đủ''' in [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]].
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It is a small tree, the single stem growing from 5 to 10 m tall, with spirally arranged [[leaf|leaves]] confined to the top of the trunk; the lower trunk is conspicuously scarred where leaves and fruit were borne. The leaves are large, 50-70 cm diameter, deeply palmately lobed with 7 lobes. The tree is usually unbranched if unlopped. The [[flower]]s are similar in shape to the flowers of the ''[[Plumeria]]'' but are much smaller and wax like. They appear on the axils of the leaves, maturing into the large 15-45 cm long, 10-30 cm diameter fruit. The fruit is ripe when it feels soft (like a ripe [[avocado]] or a bit softer) and its skin has attained an amber to orange hue. The fruit's taste is vaguely similar to [[pineapple]] and peach, although much milder without the tartness, creamier, and more fragrant, with a texture of slightly over-ripened [[cantaloupe]].{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
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Flowers: The five-petalled flowers are fleshy, waxy and slightly fragrant. Some plants bear only short-stalked female flowers, or bisexual (perfect) flowers also on short stalks, while others may bear only male flowers, clustered on panicles 5 or 6 feet long. Some plants may have both male and female flowers. Others at certain seasons produce short-stalked male flowers, at other times perfect flowers. This change of sex may occur temporarily during high temperatures in midsummer. Male or bisexual plants may change completely to female plants after being beheaded. Certain varieties have a propensity for producing certain types of flowers. For example, the Solo variety has flowers of both sexes 66% of the time, so two out of three plants will produce fruit, even if planted singly. How pollination takes place in papayas is not known with certainty. Wind is probably the main agent, as the pollen is light and abundant, but thrips and moths may assist. Hand pollination is sometimes necessary to get a proper fruit set.
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== Cultivation and uses ==
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Fruit: There are two types of papayas, Hawaiian and Mexican. The Hawaiian varieties are the papayas commonly found in supermarkets. These pear-shaped fruit generally weigh about 1 pound and have yellow skin when ripe. The flesh is bright orange or pinkish, depending on variety, with small black seeds clustered in the center. Hawaiian papayas are easier to harvest because the plants seldom grow taller than 8 feet. Mexican papayas are much larger the the Hawaiian types and may weigh up to 10 pounds and be more than 15 inches long. The flesh may be yellow, orange or pink. The flavor is less intense than that the Hawaiian papaya but still is delicious and extremely enjoyable. They are slightly easier to grow than Hawaiian papayas. A properly ripened papaya is juicy, sweetish and somewhat like a cantaloupe in flavor, although musky in some types. The fruit (and leaves) contain papain which helps digestion and is used to tenderize meat. The edible seeds have a spicy flavor somewhat reminiscent of black pepper.  
[[Image:2005papaya.PNG|thumb|left|Papaya output in 2005]]
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Originally from southern [[Mexico]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]], the papaya is now cultivated in most countries with a [[tropical]] climate like [[Brazil]], [[India]], [[South Africa]], [[Sri Lanka]] and the [[Philippines]].
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The ripe fruit is usually eaten raw, without the skin or seeds. The unripe green fruit of papaya can be eaten cooked, usually in curries, salads and stews.
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==Cultivation==
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Adaptation: Papayas have exacting climate requirements for vigorous growth and fruit production. They must have warmth throughout the year and will be damaged by light frosts. Brief exposure to 32° F is damaging and prolonged cold without overhead sprinkling will kill the plants. Cold, wet soil is almost always lethal. Cool temperatures will also alter fruit flavor. Papayas make excellent container and greenhouse specimens where soil moisture and temperature can be moderated.  
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Papaya is rich in an enzyme called [[papain]], a [[protease]] which is useful in [[Tenderize|tenderizing]] [[meat]] and other proteins. Its ability to break down tough meat fibers was utilized for thousands of years by indigenous Americans. It is included as a component in powdered meat tenderizers, and is also marketed in tablet form to remedy [[digestion|digestive]] problems. [[Papain]] is also popular (in countries where it grows) as a topical application in the treatment of cuts, rashes, stings and burns. Papain ointment is commonly made from fermented papaya flesh, and is applied as a gel-like paste. [[Harrison Ford]] was treated for a [[Spinal disc herniation | ruptured disc]] incurred during filming of [[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]] by having papain injected into his back.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=QQPpRUYPdr0C&pg=PA113&lpg=PA113&dq=harrison+ford+papaya&source=web&ots=Nf46sJ5art&sig=VkDhLMszaxrakJiPiSqx_p3MEWg Entry on Harrison Ford's back treatment].</ref>
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Location: Papayas like to be warm with both sunshine and reflected heat, so the hottest place against the house where nothing else seems happy is an ideal location. They also like to be as free from wind as possible, although this is not as critical as their need for sun. Papayas can be grown successfully in shade, but the fruit is rarely sweet. They are best planted in mounds or against the foundation of a building where water can be controlled.
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Caution should be taken when harvesting, as papaya is known to release a latex fluid when not quite ripe, which can cause irritation and provoke allergic reaction in some people. The papaya fruit and leaves also contains [[carpaine]], an [[anthelmintic]] [[alkaloid]] which could be dangerous in high doses.
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Soils: Papayas need a light, well-drained soil. They are easily killed by excess moisture. The soil needs to be moist in hot weather and dry in cold weather. Since this is the opposite of California's rain pattern, in addition to good drainage, plastic coverings to prevent over-wetting in winter may also be worthwhile. Papayas do not tolerate salty water or soil.
[[Image:Papaya_for_sale.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Ripe papaya kept for sale at a local market in [[Bangalore]], [[India]]]]
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Women in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other parts of the world have long used papaya as a folk remedy for contraception and abortion.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} Medical research in animals has confirmed the contraceptive and abortifacient capability of papaya, and also found that papaya seeds have contraceptive effects in adult male langur monkeys, possibly in adult male humans as well.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Lohiya | first = N. K. | coauthors = B. Manivannan, P. K. Mishra, N. Pathak, S. Sriram, S. S. Bhande, and S. Panneerdoss | year = 2002 | month = March | title = Chloroform extract of ''Carica papaya'' seeds induces long-term reversible azoospermia in langur monkey | journal = Asian Journal of Andrology | volume = 4 | pages = 17–26 | doi = | url = http://asiaandro.com/1008-682X/4/17.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-18 }}</ref> Unripe papaya is especially effective in large amounts or high doses. Papaya is not [[teratogenic]] and will not cause miscarriage in small, ripe amounts. [[Phytochemicals]] in papaya may suppress the effects of [[progesterone]]. <ref>{{cite journal|author=Oderinde, O|title=Abortifacient properties of Carica papaya (Linn) seeds in female Sprague-Dawley rats|journal=Niger Postgrad Medical Journal|id=PMID 12163882}}</ref>
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The black seeds are edible and have a sharp, spicy taste. They are sometimes ground up and used as a substitute for [[black pepper]]. In some parts of Asia the young leaves of papaya are steamed and eaten like spinach.
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Irrigation: Watering is the most critical aspect in raising papayas. The plants should be kept on to the dry side to avoid root rot, but also need enough water to support their large leaves. In winter the plant prefers to remain as dry as possible. A plant that has been injured by frost is particularly susceptible to root rot.
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Excessive consumption of papaya, as of carrots, can cause [[carotenemia]], the yellowing of soles and palms which is otherwise harmless.
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Fertilization: The fast-growing papaya requires regular applications of nitrogen fertilizers but the exact rates have not been established. Feed monthly and adjust according to the plant's response. They can take fairly hot organic fertilizing such as chicken manure if used with deep irrigation after warm weather has started. Phosphorus deficiency casuses dark green foliage with a reddish-purple discoloration of leaf veins and stalks.
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The papaya fruit is susceptible to the [[Papaya Fruit Fly]]. This wasp-like fly lays its eggs in young fruit.
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Pruning: Papayas do not need to be pruned, but some growers pinch the seedlings or cut back established plants to encourage multiple trunks.
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Frost Protection: Papayas need warmth and a frost-free environment, but can often withstand light freezes with some kind of overhead protection. This can be provided by building a frame around the plants and covering it with bedding, plastic sheeting, etc. when frost threatens. Electric light bulbs can also be used for added warmth. Potted specimens can be moved to a frost-secure area. Prolonged cold, even if it does not freeze, may adversely affect the plants and the fruit. Mexican papayas are more hardy than Hawaiian varieties.
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Harvest: Papayas are ready to harvest when most of the skin is yellow-green. After several days of ripening at room temperature, they will be almost fully yellow and slightly soft to the touch. Dark green fruit will not ripen properly off the tree, even though it may turn yellow on the outside. Mature fruit can be stored at 45° F for about 3 weeks. Papayas are often sliced and eaten by themselves or served with a myriad of other foods. They can also be cooked to make chutney or various desserts. Green papayas should not be eaten raw because of the latex they contain, although they are frequently boiled and eaten as a vegetable. In the West Indies, young leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach. In India, seeds are sometimes used as an adulterant in whole black pepper.
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===Propagation===
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Papayas are normally propagated by seed. To start a plant, extract the seeds from ripe papayas and wash them to remove the gelatinous covering. They are then dried, dusted with a fungicide and planted as soon as possible (the seeds loose their viability rapidly in storage). Plant the seeds in warm (80° F), sterile potting mix. Seeds should be planted in sterile soil as young papaya seedlings have a high mortality rate from damping off. Potting soil can be sterilized by mixing 50-50 with vermiculite and placing in an oven at 200° F for one hour. Under ideal conditions the seeds may germinate in about two weeks, but may take three to five weeks. Gibberellic acid can be used to speed up germination in some seasons. Seedlings usually begin flowering 9 - 12 months after they germinate.
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==Ethnomedical Uses==
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Seedling papayas do not transplant well. Plant them in large containers so the seedlings will have to be transplanted only once, when they go into the ground. Transplant carefully, making sure not to damage the root ball. To prevent damping off, drench the potting mix with a fungicide containing benomyl or captan. Set the plants a little high to allow for settling. A plastic mulch will help keep the soil warm and dry in wet winter areas, but remove it as soon as the weather becomes warm. Plant at least three or four plants to insure yourself of having females or plant hermaphroditic plants.
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*The mature (ripe) fruit treats [[ringworm]], green fruits treat [[high blood pressure]], and are used as an [[aphrodisiac]]. 
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Papaya plants can also be grown from cuttings, which should be hardened off for a few days and then propped up with the tip touching moist, fertile soil until roots form. Semihardwood cuttings planted during the summer root rapidly and should fruit the following year.  
*The fruit can be directly applied topically to skin sores <sup>[1]</sup>.
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*The seeds are [[anti-inflammatory]] and [[analgesic]], and they are used to treat [[stomachache]] and [[fungal infection]]s<sup>[1]</sup>.  
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*The leaves are used as a heart tonic, analgesic, and to treat stomachache<sup>[1]</sup>.
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*The roots are used used as an analgesic<sup>[2]</sup>.  
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===Diseases===
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===Pests and diseases===
 
{{Main|List of papaya diseases}}
 
{{Main|List of papaya diseases}}
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[[Image:MochepapayaLMC.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Papaya. Moche Culture. [[Larco_Museum|Larco Museum Collection.]] The [[Moche]] often depicted papayas in their ceramics.<ref>Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. ''The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the [[Larco_Museum|Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera]].'' New York: [[Thames and Hudson]], 1997.</ref>]]
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The papaya fruit is susceptible to the [[Papaya Fruit Fly]]. This wasp-like fly lays its eggs in young fruit.
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== See also ==
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Thrips, mites and white flies as well as In red spider and fruit spotting bugs are potential problems in some areas. The plants may also be attacked by mildew, anthracnose, root rot and various virus diseases Fruit flies often ruin the fruit in Florida and Hawaii. Nematodes can attack the roots and are often a factor in the decline of individual plant. Gopher damage can be avoided by planting in wire baskets. Papaya plants should probably be replaced every 4 years or so.  
*[[Papaya Coconut (song)|Papaya Coconut]], a [[1986]] hit song by [[Sweden|Swedish]] [[pop music|pop]] and [[country music|country]] singer [[Kikki Danielsson]].
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* [[Sitala]]
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==Cultivars==
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* '''Kamiya''' - A selection from Waimanalo. Solo type. Small to medium-sized fruit. Distinct, blocky shape, very short neck. Deep yellow-orange skin and flesh, firm, juicy, very sweet. Dwarf, high-yielding plant. Fairly recent release from the University of Hawaii.
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* '''Mexican Red''' - A rose-fleshed papaya that is lighter in flavor than Mexican Yellow. Medium to very large fruit. Generally not as sweet as Hawaiian types
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* '''Mexican Yellow''' - A very sweet and flavorful, yellow-fleshed papaya. Medium to large fruit, can grow up to 10 pounds. Generally not as sweet as Hawaiian types.
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* '''Solo''' - Fruit round and shallowly furrowed in female plants, pear-shaped in bisexual plants. Weight 1.1 to 2.2 pounds. Skin smooth, flesh firm, reddish-orange, very sweet, of excellent quality. Produces no male plants, only bisexual and female in a 2 to 1 ratio. Introduced into Hawaii from Barbados in 1911. Named Solo in 1919.
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* '''Sunrise (Sunrise Solo)''' - Pear-shaped fruit with a slight neck. Averages 22 to 26 ounces depending on location. Skin smooth, flesh firm, reddish-orange, sweet, sugar content high. Quality similar to Solo. Seed cavity not as deeply indented as other Solo strains, making seed removal easier. Plant precocious, maturing fruit about 9 months after transplanting, at a height of about 3 feet.
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* '''Sunset (Sunset Solo)''' - Solo type. Small to medium-sized, pear-shaped fruit. Orange-red skin and flesh. Very sweet. Dwarf, high yielding plant. Originated at the University of Hawaii.
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* '''Vista Solo''' - Medium to large fruit depending on climate, 5 inches wide, up to 18 inches long. Skin yellow, flesh orange to yellow-orange. Hardy, compact Solo type producing high quality fruit. Needs fairly hot weather to develop sweetness. Self-fertile. Originated in Vista, Calif. by Ralph Corwin.
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* '''Waimanalo (Waimanalo Solo, X-77)''' - Fruit round with a short neck, average weight 16 to 39 ounces. Skin smooth, and glossy, cavity star-shaped. Flesh thick, firm, orange-yellow in color, flavor and quality high, keeps well. Recommended for fresh market and processing. Fruits of female plants rough in appearance. Average height to the first flower is 32 inches.
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==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
Image:Papaya_tree.jpg|Papaya tree
 
Image:Papaya_tree.jpg|Papaya tree
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<!-- See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for instructions. -->   
 
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for instructions. -->   
 
<references />
 
<references />
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* Maxwell, Lewis S. and Betty M. Maxwell. Florida Fruit. Lewis S. Maxwell, Publisher. 1984. pp. 21..
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* Morton, Julia F. Fruits of Warm Climates. Creative Resources Systems, Inc. 1987. pp. 336-346.
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* Ortho Books. All About Citrus and Subtropical Fruits. Chevron Chemical Co. 1985. pp. 64-66.
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* Popenoe, Wilson. Manual of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits. Hafner Press. 1974. Facsimile of the 1920 edition. pp. 225-240.
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* Samson, J. A. Tropical Fruits. 2nd ed. Longman Scientific and Technical. 1986. pp. 256-269.
    
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
* [http://www.indiacurry.com/faqhints/papayatenderizemeathow.htm Papaya to tenderize meats], IndiaCurry.com
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* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/papaya_ars.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Papaya and Related Species]
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* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Carica_papaya.html Carica papaya]
   
* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/papaya.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Papaya Fruit Facts].
 
* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/papaya.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Papaya Fruit Facts].
* [http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-B00001-01c20W1.html Papaya Fruit Nutrition]
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* [http://www.alternative-medicine-online.com/Articles_papaya_weight_loss.html Papaya and weight loss]
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* [http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/medicinal/papaya.html Treating Livestock with Medicinal Plants: Beneficial or Toxic? Carica papaya]
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{{Commons|Carica papaya}}
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[[Category:Crops originating from the Americas]]
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[[Category:Brassicales]]
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[[Category:Fruit]]
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[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
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[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]
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[[Category:Abortifacients]]