Caricaceae Explained

The Caricaceae are a family of flowering plants in the order Brassicales,^[1] found primarily in tropical regions of Central and South America and Africa. They are usually short-lived evergreen pachycaul shrubs or small to medium-sized trees growing to 5–10 m tall. One species, Vasconcellea horovitziana is a liana and the three species of the genus Jarilla are herbs.^[2] Some species, such as the papaya, bear edible fruit and produce papain.^[3]

Based on molecular analyses, this family has been proposed to have originated in Africa in the early Cenozoic era, ~66 million years ago (mya). The dispersal from Africa to Central America occurred ~35 mya, possibly via ocean currents from the Congo delta. From Central America, the family reached South America 19-27 mya.^[4]

The family comprises six genera and about 34-35 species:

References

• Ghent University: Cylicomorpha checklist
• e-Monograph of Caricaceae

Notes and References

1. An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III.. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society . 161 . 2 . 105–121 . 2009. 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. free . 10654/18083 . free .
2. Correct names for some of the closest relatives of Carica papaya: A review of the Mexican/Guatemalan genera Jarilla and Horovitzia. PhytoKeys. 29. 63–74. 2013. 10.3897/phytokeys.29.6103. 24399895. 3881347. Carvalho. Fernanda. Renner. Susanne . free .
3. Web site: Home Page - BRAHMS Online.
4. A dated phylogeny of the papaya family (Caricaceae) reveals the crop's closest relatives and the family's biogeographic history. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 2012. 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.05.019. 65. 1. 46–53. 22659516 . Carvalho . FA . Renner . SS. free.