Papaya
Carica papaya
Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caricaceae
- Genus:
- Carica
- Species:
- Carica papaya
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 20-40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Colors:
- white, yellow
- Food Forest:
- Plant contains edible parts
Native Range
United States: Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands
Host Plant for Caterpillars
almond moth (Cadra cautella), Alope Sphinx (Erinnyis alope), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Dichrorampha sedatana, Ello Sphinx (Erinnyis ello), Erechthias minuscula, Lassaux's Sphinx (Erinnyis lassauxii), Mexican leafroller (Amorbia emigratella), papaya webworm moth (Davara caricae), Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta), Cleobaea Tigerwing (Lycorea cleobaea)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers fertile soils with good organic content