A fast-growing tree crop, Carica papaya, native to southern Mexico and Central America, cultivated across the tropics and subtropics for its large, sweet orange-fleshed fruit. The unripe green fruit and latex of the plant contain papain, a proteolytic enzyme extracted commercially and used to tenderize meat and in some pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Papaya trees mature quickly, often fruiting within a year of planting, and are grown as an annual or short-lived perennial rather than a long-term orchard tree. India, Brazil and Mexico are among the largest producers, and the crop is also significant in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.
Facts
Scientific Name Domestication RegionSouthern Mexico and Central America 1 Connections
Associated With
Papaya ringspot virus is the most limiting disease of papaya production worldwide.
Sources
1. Papaya, Wikipedia
Introduction
is the plant species Carica papaya
Distribution and habitat
Native to tropical regions in the Americas, papaya originates from southern Mexico and Central America.
lead description or Wikipedia lead (crop-class)
A fast-growing tree crop, Carica papaya, native to southern Mexico and Central America, cultivated across the tropics and subtropics for its large, sweet orange-fleshed fruit.
lead description or Wikipedia lead (life-cycle)
Papaya trees mature quickly, often fruiting within a year of planting, and are grown as an annual or short-lived perennial rather than a long-term orchard tree.
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