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Plant Informational Database

Mamey Sapote

Pouteria sapota

a.k.a. Sapote

Very popular fruit in Florida, the Caribbean islands, and Central America. It is sometimes cultivated outside of the Americas. Fruit is large, up to a foot long with orange flesh tasting somewhat like a flavorful pumpkin. Many varieties are available and the fruit is highly esteemed.

Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Mamey Sapote. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in November 2015.

Description

Large tree from 60-140ft.

Hardiness

The tree is usually too tender to fruit in California. Young trees are highly susceptible to frost.

Growing Environment

Grow in full sun. The mamey sapote flourishes in tropical climates with rainfall above 75" a year. Trees to not take well to periods of drought and will quickly loose their leaves.

Propagation

The best varieties are usually propagated by grafting. Grafted trees may bear in 1-4 years. Seedling trees take 8-10 years to fruit.

Uses

Almost always eaten fresh out of hand or used in desserts and drinks. The mamey sapote was cultivated by the native peoples of Central America for hundred of years.

Native Range

Native to low elevation areas between southern Mexico and northern South America. It is now extensively cultivated in Central America, the Caribbean, and south Florida.

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