2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Mountain papaya (lat. Carica candamarcensis) Is a fruit crop belonging to the large Caricaceae family.
Description
Mountain papaya is a fruit tree that grows up to ten meters in height, the appearance of which vaguely resembles a small palm tree. Its thin green trunks do not grow stiff and are completely devoid of branches - miniature tree crowns are located only at the very tops. The diameter of the numerous finger-shaped leaves of mountain papaya reaches seventy centimeters, and each leaf is attached to the trunk with the help of sufficiently thick and long petioles. By the way, mountain papaya is characterized by a superficial root system.
This culture is a dioecious plant, which means that female and male flowers grow not on one tree, but on different ones. Male flowers sit on peduncles reaching a length of seven to fifteen centimeters, and female flowers, which are always larger than male ones, are equipped with very short petioles.
The smooth-skinned and surprisingly fragrant fruits of the beautiful mountain papaya have a sweet and sour taste and a slightly elongated shape. Moreover, in length they reach from six to fifteen centimeters, and in width - from three to eight centimeters. Fruit weight can reach nine kilograms, and their color can vary from yellow to green.
Where grows
The birthplace of mountain papaya is the South American mountainous regions, from Venezuela to Chile. It can often be found at an altitude of one and a half to three thousand meters above sea level. And not so long ago, this crop began to be grown in Sri Lanka and in southern India, also mainly in mountainous regions.
It is impossible not to mention that even at home it is not possible to find solid plantations of useful mountain papaya. In most cases, such trees can be seen from the gardens and vegetable gardens of some local residents, who grow them exclusively for themselves. Up to sixty fruits can be harvested from one middle-aged tree per year, and fully matured specimens are capable of producing up to two hundred fragrant fruits. However, even such a figure does not indicate a high yield of this crop - that is why it did not receive too solid distribution. And the fruits of mountain papaya deteriorate at almost lightning speed, respectively, they can be delivered to other continents only by air travel. Of course, this cannot but affect the cost of the product.
Application
Mountain papaya is very rich in vitamins and fiber, and its enzyme called papain is the best helper for tenderizing meat. To do this, cut the peel of not fully ripe fruits and extract milky juice from them (in other words, latex). First, it is dried, and then the resulting dry film is thoroughly ground into powder, with which fresh meat is sprinkled before starting to cook it. After about four to six hours, the protein fibers contained in the meat will be almost completely decomposed. This powder is endowed with such a powerful effect that it will not be difficult to remove warts with it. And he is also an excellent anthelmintic and helps to prevent and even cure atherosclerosis, as well as reduce the size of an enlarged liver. A small amount of such powder is allowed to be given to children - with enteritis during the period of teething.
These fruits are especially useful for women - their systematic use makes menstruation painless, and the skin is more elastic and smooth. And this is one of the few exotic fruits that is not only not contraindicated for future mothers, but even recommended for them.
With the help of mountain papaya, you can lower cholesterol levels, protect against vitamin deficiency and reduce pain in osteoporosis and arthritis. It is also endowed with powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Contraindications
With extreme caution, this fruit should be consumed by allergy sufferers. You should not feast on the pulp of unripe fruits - it may contain toxic substances.
Growing and caring
Compared to regular papaya, this crop is much more resistant to fluctuations in humidity and temperature, as well as to a wide variety of pests.
Recommended:
Mountain Sorrel
Mountain sorrel is one of the plants of the family called Umbelliferae, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Peucedanum oreoselinum L. As for the name of the mountaineer family itself, in Latin it will be like this: Apiaceae Lindl.
Mountain Iron
Mountain iron is one of the plants of the family called Labiatae, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Sideritis montana L. As for the name of the family of the mountain, in Latin it will be like this: Lamiaceae Lindl. Description of the mountain iron The mountain iron is an annual herb, the stem of which is erect, it can be either branched from the base, or simple.
Mountain Fireweed
Mountain fireweed is one of the plants of the family called fireweed, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Epilobium montanum L. As for the name of the fireweed family itself, in Latin it will be like this: Onagraceae Juss.
Mountain Clover
Mountain clover is one of the plants of the family called saxifrage, in Latin the name of this plant will sound like this: Trifolium montanum L. As for the name of the family of mountain clover itself, in Latin it will be like this: Saxifragaceae Juss.
Mountain Wormwood
Mountain wormwood is one of the plants of the family called Asteraceae or Compositae, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Artemisia montana (Nakai) Pamp. (A. vulgaris L. var. Indica Maxim., A. montana Nakai, A. gigantea Kitam.
