Its hollow, herbaceous stem is usually unbranched. The deeply lobed, palmate leaves are borne on long, hollow petioles emerging from the stem apex. Flowers occur in leaf axils. Older leaves die and fall as the tree grows. The stigmatic surfaces are pale green, and the stamens are bright yellow.
Papaya fruits are smooth skinned.
They vary widely in size and shape, depending on variety and type of plant. Female plants of 'Solo' varieties produce round fruits. The fruits usually contain many seeds surrounded by a smooth yellow to orange-red flesh that is sweet in good varieties. Within varieties, flower type is usually identified by flower size and shape. Female flowers are relatively large and rounded at the base.