Manilkara zapota

Flower name
Manilkara zapota
Scientific name
Manilkara zapota
Aliassapodilla, Manilkara zapota
Place of origintropical evergreen tall tree and tropical fruit tree
Place of floweringBotanical Gardens, Overseas, Subtropical region
Flowering seasonMay, June, July

What is Manilkara zapota

Manilkara zapota or sapodilla (sapodilla, scientific name: Manilkara zapota) is a tropical evergreen tall tree and tropical fruit tree in the family Sapotaceae, native to the Caribbean coast of Mexico to Colombia. Leaves grow in bunches on the tips of new shoots and flowers bloom in clusters at the tips. The leaves are green and shiny and are considered to be ornamental plants. The flowers are periodically flowering and the crown is bell-shaped and white, giving off a strong and sweet fragrance at night. It is mainly grown for eating the pulp. The skin is brown and the flesh is yellowish-brown and grainy, and is likened to the taste of a ripe pear or a fresh dried persimmon. It takes five to eight years to fruition, which is slow. The ripe ones are eaten raw or made into fruit wine, jam or juice. The fruit is rich in vitamins and glucose and is said to be beneficial for heart disease, lung disease and hardening of the arteries. When the tree is damaged, white liquid chicle is released and is used to make chewing gum. It was introduced to the Philippines by Spain and is being produced in Southeast Asia, including India, Pakistan and Thailand.

Common name: Manilkara zapota, scientific name: Manilkara zapota, other name: sapodilla, chewing gum tree, origin: Mexico, tree height: 30-40 m, stem diameter: 1.5 m, leaf color: green, leaf length: 7-15 cm, leaf shape: elongate ellipsoid, petiole: glossy, petiole: alternate (spiral), petiole: full margin, crown: bell-shaped with six lobes at the tip, flower color: white, flower diameter: 1 cm, inflorescence: axillary, monocotyledonous, flowering period: annual (end-annual flowering, main flowering period: early May to late July), fruit type: capsule, capsule-shaped, fruit shape: 5-10 cm, fruit color; brown, harvest: twice a year, use: fruit, leaves are ornamental, wood is used to make chewing gum.