Papaya

Papayas come from Central America, but following its domestication has spread all across the globe. Their fruit makes them a favorite food for humans and many other animals.

Papayas have three sexes: male, female, and hermaphrodite. The males produce pollen, but never fruit. The females produce small fruit that remains inedible unless pollinated. The hermaphrodites can pollinate themselves, producing the biggest, most reliable fruit.

#Cultivars

Two cultivars appear commonly: yellow papaya, and a sweeter red papaya. Either can produce a “green papaya” if you pick it so early that it remains green.

#Medicinal use

Papaya leaves provide treatments for malaria and dengue fever.

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