Papaya trees can grow from a seed to a fruit-bearing tree in less than 18 months.3
The two most common varieties of papaya are the Mexican and Hawaiian.3
Papayas have been used for centuries as a remedy for digestive problems and indigestion.3
Papaya leaves are very large, often ranging 50–70 centimeters in diameter.3
Papayas were the first fruit to have their genome deciphered and to be genetically modified for human consumption.3
While filming Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, actor Harrison Ford was treated for a ruptured disc by having papain, a main ingredient in papaya, injected into his back.3