Carica Papaya L.
An evergreen tree like herb usually unbranched with white latex in the body . Leaves simple , terminal , palmately compound , spirally arranged ; leaf margins entire undulate deeply - lobed . Flower pistillate , staminate and hermaphrodite , fragrant ; ivory white .
- Family: Caricaceae
- Habit: A small , fast growing , short lived evergreen tree
- Habitat: Cultivated species , soft wooded tree
- Status : Common
Vernacular names
English - Paw paw , Melon tree , Papaya
Hindi - Papita
Malayalam - Pappaya
Tamil - Pappali
Kannada - Pappaayi
Medicinal Uses
* Fruit rich in VitA , VitB & VitC , minerals , terpanoids , flavanoids , carotene and fibres .
*Latex used in treatment of psoriasis , ringworm and cancerous growth .
*Phytochemical , Pharmacological , and Pharmacognostical activity (International Journal for research in applied Science & biotechnology - volume 9 , Issue -2 , March 2012)
* Latex as antiseptic for wound dressing and as a cure for dyspepsia .
* Flowers are used in the treatment of jaundice .
