Vasconcellea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vasconcellea |
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| Vasconcellea monoica with immature fruit | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Caricaceae |
| Genus: | Vasconcellea A.St.-Hil. |
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Vasconcellea is a group of plants that are like small trees or big bushes. There are about 20 to 26 different kinds, or species, of Vasconcellea. These plants are part of the Caricaceae family, which also includes the well-known papaya. Most Vasconcellea plants used to be called Carica, but scientists found out they are different enough to have their own special group.
These plants are evergreen, meaning they keep their leaves all year round. They can grow up to 5 meters (about 16 feet) tall. You can find them naturally in the warm, tropical areas of South America. Many Vasconcellea plants grow fruits that you can eat. These fruits are often similar to papayas and are popular in South America.
Contents
What are Vasconcellea Plants?
Vasconcellea plants are a type of flowering plant. This means they produce flowers, which then turn into fruits. They are often described as pachycaul plants. This means they have thick, fleshy stems or trunks, especially when they are young. They can grow as shrubs, which are like large bushes, or as small trees.
Where Do Vasconcellea Grow?
These plants love warm weather! They are native to the tropical regions of South America. This includes countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. They thrive in places where it's sunny and there's plenty of rain.
Edible Fruits of Vasconcellea
Many Vasconcellea species are famous for their fruit. These fruits are often sweet and juicy, much like a papaya. Some of the fruits are grown by farmers and sold in markets. One well-known type is the mountain papaya, which is a fruit from the Vasconcellea pubescens species. People enjoy eating these fruits fresh or using them in drinks and desserts.
Different Kinds of Vasconcellea
There are many different species within the Vasconcellea group. Each one has its own unique features, but they all share common traits. Here are some of the known species:
- Vasconcellea badilloi
- Vasconcellea candicans
- Vasconcellea carvalhoae
- Vasconcellea cauliflora
- Vasconcellea chachapoyensis
- Vasconcellea chilensis
- Vasconcellea crassipetala
- Vasconcellea glandulosa
- Vasconcellea goudotiana
- Vasconcellea horovitziana
- Vasconcellea longiflora
- Vasconcellea microcarpa
- Vasconcellea monoica
- Vasconcellea omnilingua
- Vasconcellea palandensis
- Vasconcellea parviflora
- Vasconcellea pentalobis
- Vasconcellea peruviensis
- Vasconcellea pubescens (also called mountain papaya)
- Vasconcellea pulchra
- Vasconcellea quercifolia
- Vasconcellea sphaerocarpa
- Vasconcellea sprucei
- Vasconcellea stipulata
- Vasconcellea weberbaueri
Some Vasconcellea plants can also mix together to create new types called hybrids. One example is the Vasconcellea × heilbornii, which is known as babaco.
See also
In Spanish: Vasconcellea para niños
