Papaya Tree

Guest - Apr 22, 2007 03:51 PM EDT
Thanks Mary - you'll be putting grumpy Mike out of his information sharing job!! :)

Guest - Apr 20, 2007 08:08 PM EDT
Hi Steve, thanks for looking and commenting. In looking up information on this fruit tree, this is what I found.... Papaya flowers have five petals, and are whitish, waxy and slightly fragrant. The male flower is usually between one and two inches wide while the female is slightly larger. The cultivated papaya fruit looks a bit like an elongated melon 6 - 20 inches long; wild plants have tiny fruits. The peel is thin and waxy but tough, and the green, unripe fruit is rich in latex. As it ripens, the fruit skin turns yellow and the flesh softens, turns a deep orange salmon colour and gives off a fantastic sweet aroma. Ripe papaya is juicy, sweet and tastes a bit like a cantaloupe. The seeds are black and shiny like caviar and sit in a fibrous, gelatinous mess in the ridged cavity at the centre of the fruit. Interesting info! There is lots more on the internet.

Guest - Apr 20, 2007 02:07 AM EDT
A very interesting shot, Mary! I've never seen a papaya actually growing before. I'd love to see the flowers - can you go back next year and take a snap? :)