PAPILLO --Carica palandensis--

vasconcellea This little known and extremely rare papaya was discovered in 1995 in montane amazonian rainforests around 1800 m in southeastern Ecuador. It is a sparsely branched shrub or small tree to 6 m tall with thick branches, large, palmate leaves that are deeply divided, and sizeable, golden yellow, round fruits that are edible and tasty. They remind of mandarins and can be used to make a fruity drink. It is apparently not cultivated for its fruit. Carica palandensis is best adapted to cultivation in warm temperate climates.Cultural RequirementsFrost Tolerance NoneWater Requirements HighWind Tolerance ModerateAppearanceGrowth Rate FastGrowth Form Small TreePalmlike TreeShrubOrnamental Value PrettyUsesProperties DioeciousEvergreenGardening OrnamentalFood/Medicinal Edible FruitAgriculture/Forestry Agroforestry