HEIGHT 3–7 ft (1–2 m)TYPE Semi-evergreen
OCCURRENCE Ecuador, known only in cultivation
Also known as mountain papaya, this fastgrowing treelike giant herb is thought to be a hybrid between two Andean papayas, V. pubescens and V. stipulata. BARK Greenish to gray-brown, smooth, with prominent leaf scars. LEAF Alternate, clustered at the stem tip, rounded, palmate, deeply divided and toothed, with 5–7 lobes, 1–7 veins and a long stalk. FLOWER Solitary,
each on a pendulous stalk, with yellowish green petals, forming on the trunk during its growth phase. FRUIT Large torpedoshaped green berry, yellow when ripe, borne on the stem; thin, edible skin, creamy flesh.
