Papaya
(Carica papaya)
Native to America, the Papaya tree has spread to humid and warm areas of tropical lands. It shelters its ovoid berries under a plume of large petiolate leaves.
Primarily appreciated for its deliciously sweet tender flesh, the fruit is eaten fresh, dried or in juice. Its high beta carotene content gives it its pretty orange colour.
Papaya has many medicinal properties. Depending on the part used, Papaya is anti-inflammatory or aids digestion. The Caribbean peoples of the pre-Columbian era collected the fruit to apply them to soothe reddened skin.
