Vasconcellea pubescens
Mountain Papaya
Vasconcellea pubescens
One of the most exciting plants we grow is Vasconcellea pubescens, or Mountain Papaya. Mountain papaya is distinct in that it is one of the largest and most cold hardy of all of the Papaya species known. These trees can get huge and will bear hundreds of delicious fruits every single year when they start producing. Although, sometimes more than one may be required as they are dioecious (M & F on separate plants). The trees are serious attention getters and will draw in the curiosity of the passerby who has never seen a papaya growing a more temperate climate! The fruits are, in my opinion, superior to the Babaco Papaya, but come at a smaller size and with some of the most delicious parts being the flesh around the seeds. If you are looking to add some delicious flavor and tropical interest to your garden, this is a must have plant.
Family: Caricaceae
Name: Vasconcellea pubescens
Common Name / Native Name: Mountain Papaya / Papayuela
Range: Panama, Venezuela, Bolivia
Sun: Full sun/ Part shade
Height: up to 20+ feet
Width: Single Trunked (3 feet), Multi trunk (5-10 feet)
Foliage : Large green ornamental leaves
Flower : Dioecious (Male & female on separate plants), with some plants displaying male and female on same plant. White, large flowers.
Fruit: The fruit is medium sized and deep yellow when ripe. The fruit has seeds and the flesh surrounding the seeds is the most flavorful part.
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidity but doesn’t seem to be affected by high pH soil.
USDA Climate Zones: 9b+, with potential to 9a in protected locations
Cold Hardiness: Survived frosts to high 20’s for brief amounts of time, no damage
Edibility: An interesting fruit that differs greatly from common papayas. There is less of a thick flesh commonly found in tropical papaya and more of a light juicy flesh. Papayuela has a bright tangy and sweet flavor that is often found to be one of the best tasting of the Vasconcellea. It has major potential for use in flavoring items (smoothies, beer, etc.).
Age to maturity: 1 to 2 years from seed
Sources:
http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:675782-1