Plant family: Caricaceae
Plant origin: Central and South America.
Fruit description: Pawpaw is the same as Papaw or Papaya.
Yellow Male/Female Pawpaw or Papaya are big elongated smooth skinned fruits, attached to the trunk in clusters near the top of the plant, beneath the leaves. The skin turns from green to orange when ripe. The skin is thin and soft when the fruit is ripe. The thick flesh is luscious, aromatic and sweet, either yellow, or orange when the fruit is ripe. In the centre are hundreds of small soft black seeds. Flavour is best when the fruit is picked ripe, or let to ripen at room temperature.
Flowers: The Yellow Male/Female Pawpaw or Papaya needs one Male plant and one Female plant to cross-pollinate so the female bears fruit. Yellow Female Pawpaw or Papaya flowers are yellow, waxy and appear individually on the trunk above every leaf. Yellow Male Pawpaw or Papaya flowers are yellow and white, waxy and grow on 50cm long stems of up to 40 flowers, which grow out of the trunk above every leaf. These male flowers do not set fruit.
Growing conditions: The Yellow Male/Female Pawpaw or Papaya is upright and perennial, rapidly growing to 4 metres high. The trunk is soft, hollow not woody. The crown of the tree has a cluster of large, lobed leaves. It is fairly cold hardy, and prefers a warm, subtropical or tropical climate. It is moderately frost tolerant. It needs a warm well drained site, good fertile soil and plenty of sunshine, with no cold wind. Mulch the tree to protect the surface roots and maintain moist conditions. The Yellow Male/Female Pawpaw or Papaya needs one Male plant and one Female plant to cross-pollinate so the female bears fruit.
Uses: Pawpaw is best eaten fresh. It is delicious for breakfast with lemon, lime or passionfruit juice. It goes well with yoghurt. It is lovely in fruit and savoury salads. Pawpaw flesh contains papain, an enzyme (proteolytic) that breaks down protein and can be used to tenderise meat or seafood. It is also an enzyme that’s aids digestion. Pawpaw can be made into jams, pickles and chutney. Pawpaw juice is thick, delicious and refreshing. Unripe fruit is grated to make delicious Thai green pawpaw salad, and can also be diced and boiled, stir-fried, or baked for savoury or sweet dishes. When the seeds are dried they can be used in the same way as black pepper.
Medicinal uses: Pawpaw fruit is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, mineral potassium and magnesium, and dietary fibre. Pawpaw may be helpful in treating digestive complaints. An ointment made from the flesh is used to treat cuts, burns, stings, dry skin, pawpaw ointment is available to buy.
Pollination requirements: The Yellow Male/Female Pawpaw or Papaya needs one Male plant and one Female plant to cross-pollinate so the female bears fruit. Yellow Female Pawpaw or Papaya flowers are yellow, waxy and appear individually on the trunk above every leaf. Yellow Male Pawpaw or Papaya flowers are yellow and white, waxy and grow on 50cm long stems of up to 40 flowers, which grow out of the trunk above every leaf. These male flowers do not set fruit.
Harvest time Pick the fruit when the skin is at least half orange and the fruit gives slightly when gently pressed. Pawpaw fruit are produced all year but mostly in the Summer. They will continue to ripen at room temperature.
Plant relatives Red Bisexual Sunrise Solo Pawpaw or Papaya,
Red Male/Female Type Pawpaw or Papaya,
Yellow Bisexual YB1 Pawpaw or Papaya,
Yellow Male/Female Type Pawpaw or Papaya.
Special features:
Grown by method: Seed Grown Pot size: 100mm
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2.5 metres high by 1.5 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 4 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 100mm
