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Carica papaya (Papaw, Papaya)
papaja [Afrikaans];phopho [N Sotho, Sesotho];
phoophoo [Tswana]; ipopo [Xhosa]; upopo [Zulu]
Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids >
Eurosid II > Order: Brassicales
Pawpaw. Left, whole fruit; right, fruit cut open
revealing the numerous black seeds that are removed from
the fruit before it is eaten. |
The Pawpaw originates from Mexico and Central
America and is now cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical
regions of the world. It is eaten raw as a fruit and contains high
levels of Vitamins A and C and a phytochemical called beta-cryptoxanthin
that promotes health. It also contains papain, which is an
antibacterial protease enzyme that has meat tenderising properties
and is used for clarifying beer. Flowers of Pawpaw trees can be male, female or both
(hermaphrodite) and have a sweet-scented smell at night that
attracts pollinating moths.
References
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van Wyk, B.-E. 2005. Food Plants of the World -
Identification, Culinary Uses and Nutritional Value. Briza, Pretoria.
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