Botanical family: Caricaceae

Carica papaya

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Season: Best quality comes during warm months July to October. Some fruit all year. Fast growing herbaceous plant with thick, hollow trunk. Leaves lobed to 2' across. Flowers/fruit appear in nodes directly from trunk. Size varies from 1/2 to 20 pounds. Flesh is yellow to orange-red, melon-like. Plant freezes at about 31 F, young plants are very tender. Plant in full sun, however will grow tall in shade, but produces less fruit. Best to use lots of organic matter and mulch to reduce nematode problems. Best to replant every 2-3 years. Soil must be well-drained. The delicious fruit of the papaya is good for you as a dessert or as a digestive aid (it contains the enzyme papain, which is essential to digestion). Papaya flowers can be male, female, or hermaphrodite. In starting a plant, first wash the seeds well and remove the slippery outer coating; then sow immediately. Cover with soil and keep in a warm, bright place. Germination should occur in four to eight weeks. You can also start seeds in vermiculite; keep a plastic bag over the pot to maintain high humidity. Papayas are prone to damping-off. Water copiously in the summer but less frequently in the winter. Repot the plants frequently, the first time six months after you start, and then again six months later. The papaya's leaves are scalloped and seven-lobed and remind of the popular houseplant called the umbrella tree. Solo Papayas are self pollinating.

Carica pentagona

This attractive torpedo shaped fruit has an effervescent flesh hence its other name the Champagne fruit. The texture of the golden fruit is light and refreshing. The slightly acid flavor has a hint of strawberry, pineapple and pawpaw and can be made into a tasty thirst quenching drink. The unripe green fruit is delicious used as a green vegetable in curries and chutney. A very close relative of Carica papaya,

the babaco needs fertile well-drained soil and warm conditions to grow well.

Jacaratia spinosa, Carica spinosa

Jacaratia spinosa is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with a very striking, strange, yet attractive appearance that is native to South America. Also known as Wild Mango, the tree can reach up to 10 to 20 feet in height and is recognized for its ethnomedical properties. Depending on its location, the plant can be very thorny or spiny and grows best in full sun or semi-shade in areas with a USDA Zone of 9-11.

The most beneficial feature of a Jacaratia spinosa is its production of edible fruit, which has a particularly unique taste that is likened to chestnuts. The skin of the fruit is hard and needs to be scored and cooked before eating in order to take advantage of its high nutritional content and avoid the copious latex that is released. The edible fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals, making it an important and beneficial source of dietary nutrition. A fully mature Jacaratia spinosa can produce up to 25 fruits per season, making it a great addition to any home orchard or garden.

To ensure the best growth and care of a Jacaratia spinosa, special attention to soil and water requirements should be taken. The tree prefers the soil to be well-draining, loose, and slightly acidic in nature. Depending on its location, the amount of water that it needs will vary. In cold regions, the plant should be grown in a pot and placed close to a south-facing wall in order to supply the necessary amount of sunlight. Through this combination of environmental conditions, a Jacaratia spinosa can be cultivated with relative ease, thus allowing for bountiful fruits and a beautiful ornamental addition to the garden!