Synonyms: 

Carica bourgeaui Solms

Carica mamaya Vell.

Systematic Position

Kingdom:  Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Capparales

Family: Caricaceae

Native: Southern Mexico and neighboring Central America

Common Names

English – Papaya

Malayalam – പപ്പായ /കപ്ലങ്ങ

Tamil –

Description: It is an evergreen, tree-like herb, 2-10 m tall, usually unbranched, although sometimes branched due to injury, containing white latex in all parts. Stem cylindrical, 10-30 cm in diameter, hollow with prominent leaf scars and spongy-fibrous tissue.

Habitat:  Cultivated species but is prone to escape along roadsides, other Human Altered environments, and the edges of natural areas.

Distribution: Throughout the tropics of the world

Uses: The fruit is edible. It helps in digestion and is a stomachic, carminative, diuretic and expectorant. Its applications to combat dysentery and chronic diarrhoea, wounds of the urinary tract, ringworm and skin diseases.