Carica L.
Small trees, occasionally vine-like, usually dioecious or monoecious, rarely ⚥. Lvs in terminal clusters, large, variously lobed, usually palmate. Calyx very small, 5-lobed; teeth narrow. Corolla tubular or funnelform; lobes linear to lanceolate; petals ± free in ♀ fls. Stamens inserted at corolla throat; connective usually prominent and elongated. Ovary 1- or 5-locular; stigmas variously lobed, sessile or style very short. Fr. usually large, often 5-(10)-ribbed. Seed usually knobbly or warty, with membranous to ± fleshy aril.
c. 35 spp., tropical and subtropical America. Naturalised sp. 1.
