The plant is very similar to the common papaya, but is relatively smaller. Most plants are about 2 meters high and rarely grows more than 3 meters. It is much stronger than the papaya and can tolerate light frosts and drought. Grown in altitude sites and something cold in Colombia, Bolivia and Peru.
        The Mountain Papaya is one of the fathers of Babaco hybrid variety widely cultivated for fruits in South America. The tree produces male and female flowers on the same plant. A tree produces fruit about 60 to 200 fruits in adult plants. The fruits can be eaten fresh. However, usually cooked or sweetened. They can also be canned. A drink is made from the fruits of the mountain papaya. Like papaya, fruits are rich in the enzyme papain, which is very digestive.