Carica
Carica
Carica (pronounced: /kəˈraɪkə/) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caricaceae including Carica papaya, the papaya (also called papaw or pawpaw), a widely cultivated fruit tree in tropical regions.
Etymology
The term Carica originates from the Latin word caries which means "decay", due to the rapid ripening and softening of the fruit.
Description
The Carica genus is native to tropical regions of America and was first described by Linnaeus in 1753. The plants in this genus are small, unbranched trees or shrubs. The leaves are arranged spirally; they are deeply lobed, with 5-9 lobes. The plants are usually dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants, but sometimes hermaphrodite flowers are found. The fruit is a large berry, with numerous seeds.
Species
The genus Carica was once much larger, but has been reduced to about 20-25 species as other species have been moved to other genera. The most well-known species is Carica papaya, the papaya. Other species include Carica candamarcensis, the mountain papaya, and Carica pubescens, the highland papaya.
Uses
The most widely grown species, Carica papaya, is a major source of papain, a proteolytic enzyme. It is used in cooking, in the preparation of meat tenderizers, and in the production of dietary supplements and chewing gums. The fruit is also consumed fresh or in the form of juices, jams, and jellies.
Related Terms
- Caricaceae: The family to which Carica belongs.
- Papaya: The common name for Carica papaya, the most well-known species in the genus.
- Papain: An enzyme derived from the papaya fruit.
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