Oak leafed papaya
Vasconcellea quercifolia
Family: Caricaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 4-6 m high. It spreads 1.8 m wide. The trunk is not woody. The trunk has leaf scars. The leaves have 3 lobes. The leaves are 30 cm wide. The leaves are thin and a lighter green underneath. Male and female trees are separate. The male flowers are on side stalks and the female flowers are usually single or in small groups on the main stem. The fruit are 25 cm long. They are orange. The fruit can be bitter. Both male and female trees are needed. It can produce large numbers of small fruit.
There are at least 22-40 species of Carica.
Where it is found
It grows naturally in semi-deciduous high altitude forest in Brazil. It has been recorded at 3,500 m altitude in tropical America. It can tolerate temperatures down to -5°C. It suits subtropical and warm temperate climates. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Ecuador, Peru, India, Pacific, Paraguay, Philippines, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten candied or made into preserves. The fruit can be eaten raw. The branches are used to make sweets.
Edible parts
Fruit, branches, stems
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and the seeds removed under running water. They are dried slightly in the shade then planted while fresh. Seeds germinate in a few days. Plants can also be grown by branch cuttings.
Plants grow quickly. Plants take 2-3 years to fruit.
Its other names
Local names
Calasacha, Gargatea, Higuera del monte, Iaracatia, Jacaratia, Jaracatia, Mamao do mato, Mamaozinho-do-mato
Synonyms
Carica acuta O. Heilbomn; Carica bonplandii Hort. Paris ex Solms-Laubach; Carica hastaefolia Hort. ex Solms-Laubach; Carica hastata Brign.; Carica quercifolia (St.Hill) Solm-Laub; Papaya quercifolia Kuntze; Vasconcellea quercifolia St. Hill.; Vasconcellosia hastata Caruel;