TO KNOW OUR FRUITS/PLANTS 13

PAPAYA, Carica papaya, CARICACEAE

In malay, it is known as buah betik.

It is a sappy soft tissued, quick growing but short-lived plant. It grows 2-10 metres in height. It is believed to be a native of tropical America where it is called pawpaw as well as melon zapote. Today, it is grown in tropical countries.

All parts of the plant produce a milky juice(or latex), which contains the enzymea papain and chymopapain, both of which have protein-digesting and milk clothing properties.

The plants are usually dioecious (only male or female flowers are present. Male and female plants are identical in appearence until flowers appear. They come into bearing at about 6-12 months.

The fruits vary greatly in size, shape and flavour. They may measure 7-60 cm long and weighing up to 9 kg.

They are usually eaten when ripe as desert. The flesh is very rich in vitamin A and calcium and has also some vitamin C.

Many varieties of papaya are grown in Malaysia. Among thebetter known ones, the yellow-fleshed type includes Serdang, Honey Dew, and Morib, while the red-fleshed kind includes Batu Arang, Subang 6 and Taiping 3.