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GENERAL
Origin
:
tropical
Vigour
:
fast growing
Humidity
:
semi-arid, very
humid, extremely
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium, high
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (1500
ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree
Height
:
3 m-8 m
Spread
:
1.5 m-3 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
pastel yellow
Size
:
3 cm - 4 cm
Period
:
January -
December
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
berry
Fruit size
:
20 cm - 30 cm
Toxicity
:
produced for
food, edible, fruit
Originating in South America, this evergreen tree, bearing the papaya fruit, grows to a height
of up to 8 metres and is often seen on farms in and around Arriyadh where other fruit trees are
being cultivated. Occasionally, it will be seen in a garden in the city. The large multi-lobed leaves
up to 60 cm across are to be found at the top of the non-branched trunk where the delicious fruits
grow throughout the year just under the crown of the leaves. Not very long-lived – perhaps up
to 15 years – the papaya tree requires full sun, but appreciates light shade in Arriyadh, obtained
from nearby palm trees, which also provide the necessary protection against wind. Trees will
grow in most soils, but they must be well drained and irrigation should be regular. Propagated
by seeds, they suffer from mealybugs and scale insects. C. papaya is useful as a specimen tree in
a garden, but does not have any real landscape value.
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Carica papaya,
Caricaceae
Melon Tree,
Papaya, fifaiy, paw-paw