Carica papaya / [Species detail] / Plant Atlas

Characteristics

Classification

Dicots

Family

CARICACEAE

Genus

Carica

Species

Carica papaya L.

Common Name

PAPAYA

Growth Habit

C Value

Plant Notes

This species is considered native to the state, but is certainly introduced in many areas. Seeds of papaya dated to around the year 300 AD were found in Lee Co. (Ward 2011). Papapya is widely cultivated in Florida and certainly has escaped and naturalized from some of these cultivated strains. Small-fruited specimens of coastal and southern Florida (e.g. Franck 2615, Judd 5970 [FLAS]) may represent native forms (Ward 2011).

Status

Native UPL (NWPL)

** Not applicable or data not available.