Sculpt a Papaya or two for doll markets . . .

Papaya sculpted and cut in half.

        This large, tree-like but soft-stemmed plant, generally unbranched, bears a top of plamately lobed, much cut leaves on long leaf-stalks. Where these join the trunk the flowers and melon-like fruits are produced, typically one in each leaf-axil, the oldest and ripest below. The male flowers are in long clusters on separate plants. The fruit, green to orange-yellow, sweet and juicy, is excellent for dessert. It is very common in the tropics and is appreciated for its digestive and laxative properties. It is the source of "papain." The young leaves and flowers of the male plants may be cooked as "greens." In Dutch Guiana the green fruits, shredded and fermented, serve for the preparation of a sourkraut, "Papaja-zuurkool." Papaya faimly. (sometimes called Pawpaw)

• Color this botanical page illustrating papaya . . .