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Plant Informational Database

Canistel

Pouteria campechiana

a.k.a. Yellow Sapote, Egg Fruit

A glowing yellow, waxy skinned fruit with a pulp that has the consistency of a hard-boiled egg yolk. Highly favored in the tropics, the canistel is rarely grown in the United States. Fruits can be highly variable in size and shape--ranging from round to pointed and ovaloid.

Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

A mid-sized tree, usually 20-40ft, but up to 100ft. Leaves are slender, glossy, and sharply tapered at the base. Branches contain a gummy latex. Seedling trees produce in 3-6 years, grafted or air layered trees a year or two earlier. Fruiting generally occurs during the winter months and on into spring.

Hardiness

Primarily tropical. Grows quite well in Florida and is frost tolerant. Grows outdoors in Southern California, but fruit production is low.

Growing Environment

Tolerant of a wide variety of soils, and can grow in poor soil. Grow in part-shade or full sun. Water regularly.

Propagation

Propagation is by seeds, grafting and air-layering. Seeds loose viability within a few days and will usually sprout within a few weeks.

Uses

Eaten fresh out of hand. Sometimes used in custards, pies, milkshakes and other desserts.

Native Range

Native to Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador. Cultivated in Florida, Central America and throughout the West Indies.

Related Species

Sapotaceae  
Argania spinosa
Argan
Chrysophyllum cainito
Star Apple
Chrysophyllum oliviforme
Satin Leaf Tree
Chrysophyllum soboliferum (Pradosia brevipes)
Armadillo Fruit
Manilkara bidentata, Mimusops balata
Ausubo
Manilkara huberi
Massaranduba
Manilkara zapota
Sapodilla
Mimusops elengi
Spanish Cherry
Pouteria bullata
Abiurana
Pouteria caimito
Abiu
Pouteria campechiana
Canistel
Pouteria gardneriana
Abuai
Pouteria hypoglauca
Cinnamon Apple
Pouteria lucuma (Lucuma obovata)
Lucuma
Pouteria multiflora
Bully Tree
Pouteria pachycalyx
Bapeba
Pouteria pariry
Frutao
Pouteria ramiflora
Macaranduba
Pouteria sapota
Mamey Sapote
Pouteria torta
Curiola
Pouteria ucuqui
Ucuqui
Pouteria venosa
Aboirana
Pouteria viridis
Green Sapote
Sideroxylon foetidissimum
Mastic
Sideroxylon obtusifolium
Jungleplum
Synsepalum dulcificum
Miracle Fruit
Synsepalum subcordatum
Giant Miracle Fruit