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Papaya is a small, fast-growing but short-lived, evergreen tree growing 3 - 10 metres tall with a bole 10 - 30cm in diameter. The plant is usually without side-branches, although these can be produced if the plant is injured or the growing tip is removed. Although it adopts the habit of a tree, the bole is non-woody and somewhat hollow One of the most popular and delicious of tropical fruits, papaya is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas around the world, The tree also has a wide range of other uses, particularly for the medicinal value of its fruits and leaves