Papaillo
Vasconcellea palandensis

Family: Caricaceae

What it is like

A small tree. Plants are separately male and female. The leaves are compound and there are 5-9 leaflets like the fingers on a hand. The fruit are carried along the trunk. The fruit are 7-8 cm across. The seeds are arranged in 5 groups. There is pulp around each group of seeds.

There are at least 22-40 species of Carica. This is a newly described species and under threat of extinction.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the humid eastern Andes at about 1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Ecuador (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is eaten raw. They are also cooked. They can be used for a drink.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Carica palandensis V. M. Badillo et al;