Latin Name:
Carica papaya
Physical Description:
Papayas grow on tall straight trees with scarred trunks. The leaves are large, with seven spears and ridges.
Usage:
Papayas can be eaten ripe or green in salads and curries. The seeds are also edible, and have been used as a replacement for black pepper. The young leaves of the papaya tree can be steamed and cooked like spinach.
Factoids:
Papayas was the first fruit to have its genome sequenced.
