Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Carica papaya
Food
Medicinal
Product
English Common Name
Papaya
Peru Common Name
Papaya
Tree Family
Caricacea
Average Leaf Size (cm)
67.5cm
Length
×
45cm
Width
Tree Height
Shrub (1–10m)
Elevational Range (m)
0–1600m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Exotic in Peru
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela
Exotic in
Latin America
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Beneficial to coffee
Prevalence
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
The seeds are dispersed by bats. It propagates by seed and germinates in 2-3 weeks. Grafting can also be used. Seedlings grow quickly. Weed control is necessary. It requires pH control and a constant supply of water, but is relatively resistant to drought. Very sensitive to fertilizers. Fruit production begins within a year of planting and produces 30-150 fruits/year. You can tap the latex at least once a week. You can rejuvenate mature trees by cutting up to 30 cm above the ground. The tree can live more than 25 years. Yields can be maximized by renewing every 3 years.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Food
- Medicinal
- Product
The fruits are eaten, a sweet "meat" is made from the flowers, and young leaves are also sometimes eaten. The seeds are used as a spice, especially in salad dressings. The male flowers are cooked and used as a green vegetable. It can be used when coffee sales are insufficient or urgent cash needs arise, as it can be sold at market and can be produced throughout the year. The dried leaves can be beaten in water to form a soap substitute. The seed and green fruit are eaten to treat parasites in children. The leaves and fruit, especially the unripe fruit, are taken internally in the treatment of a variety of digestive disorders, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and painful uterus.
Farm Services
- Soil Improvement
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
The seeds are dispersed by bats.
Citations
Citations
Jezeer, Rosalien. (2018). PhD dissertation: Shedding Light on Shade- Reconciling Livelihoods and Biodiversity in Coffee Agroforests. 10.13140/RG.2.2.28895.71844.;
Shade Catalog | Indonesia. Shade Catalog, Conservation International, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and World Coffee Research. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.shadecoffee.org/en/catalog/indonesia;
Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-10-05. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Carica+papaya