Family: CARICACEAE
There is a range of papayas from the Andes with differing characteristics. They are all ever-green trees resembling, to some extent, the tropical papaya. They can be abundant bearers of fruit and all papaya fruit contains the enzyme papain.
They are much more tolerant of cold conditions than the tropical papaya. They are generally very variable within each species, some having extremely edible fruits while others are barely edible. None seem to tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Carica pubescens (chamburo)
This is the most common and widespread species of highland papaya. It is grown commercially in northern Chile and can be found in most backyards in eastern Peru. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions from wind swept, dry, open plateaus to humid, shaded forests.
Most plants are dioecious and require a male and a female to set fruit. They are usually propagated from seed, although individuals with desirable characteristics can be propagated from cuttings. They are fairly fast growing, often bearing in their second year.
The fruit is very variable, some can be eaten out of hand but most are so high in papain that they have to be cooked to be eaten.