Common Name: Oak-Leaved Papaya

General Information

Oak-leaved papaya is an evergreen small tree with an irregular, sparse crown, or, more commonly, a shrub growing from 4 - 8 metres tall[, , ]. It has a solid, but not truly woody, bole up to 60cm in diameter[, ].
The edible fruits are usually gathered from the wild for local use[]. The tree is occasionally cultivated for its fruit[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Andes mountains of Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina.

Habitat

Forests[]. Edges of woods and the more open areas of secondary growth, favouring streamsides, low flat land near streams and moist slopes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moderate to high elevations in the tropics, it can also be grown in subtropical and warm temperate areas. It can survive occasional frost to -5°c so long as the soil is fairly dry[].
Requires a fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny but sheltered position[]. Succeeds in a range of soils[].
A fast-growing plant[].
The fruit of this species has potential commercial use in the warm temperate zone[].
Mature trees can bear several thousand fruits.
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruits - usually eaten in preserves or candied[, ]. The skin is also edible[]. Small, 2 - 5cm long bright orange fruit with a sweet smell and juicy, sweetish pulp[].

Medicinal

The fruits are used as a vermifuge[].

The fruits are a good source of papain, which is used to promote the digestion[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing pioneer species that succeeds in full sun and provides food for humans and other creatures. It can be used as a pioneer plant when restoring native woodland and also when establishing a woodland garden[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in containers shaded from direct light. It germinates best at a temperature around 24 - 30°c[]. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks[]. Transfer the containers to a sunny position when plants are about 2 weeks old, planting out into permanent positions when the plants are large enough.
Cuttings.

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