The papaya plant has an erect branchless trunk 6-20 ft tall, and a palm-like head of foliage at the top. Some papaya bear only short-stalked female flowers or bisexual flowers, while others may bear only male flowers. The flowers of papaya are usually white and small. The smooth-skinned fruits are green, yellow and typically weigh about 0.5 kg. They hang on short stalks in clusters directly from the trunk beneath the umbrella of giant leaves.