Babaco, Mountain papaya
Carica x pentagona

Family: Caricaceae

What it is like

A hybrid between Carica pubescens and Carica stipulata. A small shrub about 2-3 m tall. It has a soft trunk and leaf scars along the trunk. It is self fertile. The leaves are large and spread out like fingers on a hand. The leaves are 45 cm wide. The veins are easily seen. Flowers develop on the trunk as the tree grows. Individual leaves last about 4-6 months and flowers are in the angles of leaves. Flowers are female. The fruit develop without pollination or setting seed. The fruit are seedless. Fruit can be 30 cm long by 20 cm wide. The fruit is five sided and turns yellow as it ripens. The fruit has a smooth thin skin. The flesh is soft. Fruit are normally seedless.

It is probably a cross between Carica pubescens and Carica stipulata - the chamburo. There are at least 22-40 species of Carica. A hybrid between Vasconcellea cundimarcensis and Vasconelllea stipulata

Where it is found

It grows in a cool subtropical climate. It needs to be frost free or it will lose its leaves. They need a sheltered position and prefer a sunny position. It needs a well drained soil. It is best with a soil pH of 6-6.5. It cannot tolerate salty water. It can tolerate light frosts. In the Andes it grows between 1,500-2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, Europe, Hawaii, Israel, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, South America, Spain, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from cuttings about 30 cm long taken from near the base of older maturing plants. A second shoot can be allowed to grow from the base of the trunk as the first trunk becomes more mature and fruit production declines. Sometimes seeds are produced and these can be used for planting.

Fruit is produced about 15 months after planting cuttings. Ripe fruit can be stored for 4 weeks. Fruit can be stored with refrigeration.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Carica x chrysopetala Heilborn; Carica x heilbornii var. pentagona; Carica x frutifragrans Garcia-Barr. & Fern. Cam.; A seedless hybrid between Carica pubescens and Carica stipulata; Vasconcellea x heilbornii (V. M. Badillo) V. M. Badillo;