Papaya's description
Description: A fast growing, woody, tree-like herb that grows up to 3 m tall. It normally does not branch but if the top is cut off or injured, it produces a few branches. Trunk is straight, hallow and green or deep purple in colour with prominent leaf scars. Leaves are arranged spirally and clustered at the top of stem. Leaf stalk is about 1m long, hallow and succulent. Leaf is divided deeply into five to nine segments with prominent yellowish ribs and veins. Flowers are fleshy, waxy and slightly fragrant. Some plants bear only short-stalked female flowers whereas some other plants may bear only male flowers, which are clustered on 1.3 to 1.6 m long panicles. Some plants bear bisexual flowers. Male or bisexual plants may change completely into female plants after being beheaded. Fruit is a fleshy berry, oval to nearly round or somewhat pyriform or elongated club-shaped. Fruit has thin, waxy skin, which is green in colour when young, becoming light or deep yellow as it ripens. Flesh is succulent, yellow or golden-yellow or orange-red in colour, aromatic and sweet. Seeds look like pepper, about 5 mm long, black or grey-black in colour and attached to the flesh by a soft, white, fibrous tissue. All parts of the plant are rich in white latex.