Carica papaya L.
| Family | Caricaceae | |
|---|---|---|
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Papaya, Pawpaw, Papaw | |
| Status | Exotic: Casual | |
| Form | Tree | |
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Central America | |
Diagnostics:
A commonly cultivated fruit tree that is sun-loving. It has a single unbranched stem of usually about 2-5m and has prominent leaf scars. Its leaves are large, palmately lobed, and clustered at the top, supported by long petioles. The fruit ripens to orange and has a central cavity with small black seeds.
Interesting Facts:
Besides being widely enjoyed for its edible, juicy fruits, leaf extracts of the papaya are known for their medicinal properties in managing dengue. This was shown in a 2013 controlled trial by Subenthiran et al., where it significantly increased the platelet count in patients having dengue fever. This was due to its ability to simulate genes involved in platelet formation.
Cultivated stands at a residential estate.
Flowers.
Fruits.
References
Subenthiran, S., Tan, C. C., Cheong, K. C., Thayan, R., Teck, M. B., Muniandy, P. K., Afzan, A., Abdullah, N. R., & Ismail, Z. (2013). Carica papaya leaves juice significantly accelerates the rate of increase in platelet count among patients with dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2025-10-28