Jaracatia, Tree papaya, Thorny papaya, Deer's papaya
Vasconcellea dodecaphylla

Family: Caricaceae

What it is like

A large tree up to 20 m high. The leaves are small, slender and deep green. They are made up of 5-8 leaflets. The fruit are yellow and oval. They have five lobes. They are a little like a rounded star fruit.

There are at least 22-40 species of Carica.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Plants grow naturally in savannah, along rivers and in forests in Brazil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, South America

How it is used for food

Fruit are eaten raw. A 'milk' in the fruit is allowed to drain our or fruit are boiled, as this affects digestion.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Carica dodecophylla; Jacarita spinosa; Vasconcellea;