Caricaceae

Caricaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Brassicales. It is native to tropical regions of the Americas, with a few species widely cultivated elsewhere. The family traditionally includes the genus Carica, the best known species being Carica papaya, the papaya. In many modern classifications, Vasconcellea and related genera are included in Caricaceae, though some systems maintain them as distinct.

Plants in this family are generally herbaceous to small trees, often with a milky sap. Leaves are typically large and lobed, sometimes palmately arranged. Flowers can be unisexual or bisexual; many cultivated papayas bear hermaphroditic flowers on the same plant, contributing to fruit production. The fruit is a large berry containing numerous seeds.

Economically, Caricaceae is most important for papaya cultivation. Papayas are grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world for fresh fruit and processed products. The latex of many species contains proteolytic enzymes, notably papain, which is used commercially as a meat tenderizer and in digestive aids.

Ecology and adaptation: species are adapted to warm, frost-free environments and show varying tolerance to drought; cultivated taxa can suffer from pests and diseases.