which is allied to the Passifloraceae. As a dual- or multi-purpose, early-bearing, space-conserving, herbaceous crop, it is widely acclaimed, despite its susceptibility to natural enemies. It is a tropical and subtropical crop and is considered to be one of the most important sources of vitamins A and C and the industrially important enzyme papain. The fruit is melon-like. The skin is waxy and thin but fairly tough. When the fruit is green and hard it is rich in white latex. As it ripens, it becomes light- or deep-yellow externally and the thick wall of succulent flesh becomes aromatic, yellow, orange or various shades of salmon or red. Worldwide over 6.8 million tonnes (Mt) of fruit were produced in 2004 on about 389,990 Ha (FAO 2004). Of this volume, 47% was produced in Central and South America (mainly in Brazil), 30% in Asia, and 20% in Africa.