14 Interesting Facts About Papaya Plant You Should Know

We all know about Papaya Plant. But have you ever heard of these 14? Let’s check out!

     1.     Papaya is a tree-like herb of 16-33 feet height.

Heh Heh Heh!

2.     It is the only single-stem dicot.

3.     Papaya is considered as a rich source of vitamin B and vitamin C. It contains Beta Carotene which converts to Vitamin A and has a pool of dietary fibers. So, even if it smells or tastes like hell to you, it can offer some health benefits.

     

     Harison Ford was treated with injections of Papaya due to spine injury incurred during Indiana Jones

     

     And here is another health fact! This "bad-looking" fruit can be used against a serious disease. Papaya tea prevents Malaria! 

4.     Do you know form where the ropes you use come? Well, along with some other sources papaya stems and barks are largely used for making ropes.

5.     This plant can live around 20 years in wild!

6.     You know what Pawpaw or Papaw is, right? But do you know what a “Tree Melon” is? Well, that is also Papaya. Papaya has its funky different names in different parts of the world.

7.     Unripe Papaya is scientifically proven to act as an "abortifacient". Due to presence of a proteolytic enzyme called Papain, it induces estrogen production and suppresses progesterone release which can induce abortion. From ancient times it was a home remedy for unwanted pregnancy.

8.     Seeds of pawpaw resembles with black pepper, right? They truly do. Due to the spiciness of Papaya seeds they are used as a substitute or admixtures of black pepper

9.     If punctured, green Papaya fruits release a white substance like many other plants called latex. It is seen in studies that greener the fruit is, more the latex it has inside.

10. Too much of nothing, even if it is good. Though healthy, do not eat Papaya like a horse. Too much Papaya inside your stomach can make your feet and palm yellow. In medical terms this situation is addressed as "Carotenemia". The symptoms go away in a couple of hours if one refuses to consume anymore.

11. Unlike other fruits, Papaya starts developing the golden yellow color from the basal region of the fruit. Though some varieties (say, Sunrise Solo) develop color from the apical part as usual.

12. A small Papaya fruit contains about 300% of the recommended daily need of Vitamin C.

13. Have you ever thought why the papaya seeds are so slippery? Actually, it is a gelatinous substance covering the seed called Sercotesta. It prevents viviparous germination.

14. You might have heard of the popular Red Lady variety of Papaya. Beware! This variety is a vector of Ring Spot disease and can destroy even distant fields.