Carica candicans SEEDS

Carica candicans seeds grow into the white papaya or Andean papaya a drought-tolerant shrub or small tree native to the wet tropical biome of Peru, found in the dry coastal valleys and lower Andean slopes. Now placed as Vasconcellea candicans in current taxonomy, the epithet candicans means ‘whitening’ or ‘white’, referring to the pale colour of the fruits and/or foliage. This Andean relative of the papaya produces small, fragrant fruits with sweet, pale-coloured flesh, used locally as food across the Peruvian lowlands. Very different in character to the common papaya smaller, more drought-tolerant and adapted to the dry Andean foothills. Family Caricaceae.

Full sun; drought-tolerant; adaptable to dry, well-drained soils; warm tropical and subtropical conditions. A botanical collector’s Andean Caricaceae.

• Small fragrant fruits with sweet pale flesh; locally used as food in Peru
• Now Vasconcellea candicans in current taxonomy; ‘candicans’ = whitening/white
• Peru wet tropical biome; dry coastal valleys and lower Andean slopes
• NOT from Mexico as sometimes described; strictly Peruvian in native range
• Full sun; drought-tolerant; dry well-drained soils; warm conditions

Carica candicans is a botanically interesting Andean papaya relative the white Peruvian papaya of the dry coastal valleys, now correctly placed in Vasconcellea, offers collectors a genuine piece of Andean botanical diversity and ethnobotanical heritage very different from the common papaya.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.