| Wooly Leaved Sapote | |
| Casimiroa tetrameria |
A fruit almost identical to its better known close relative the white sapote. Fruit is apple sized, usually with flesh that is less appealing than the white sapote.
Description: Almost identical to the white sapote in growth
and climatic requirements, the wooly-leaved sapote may be a subspecies
of Casimiroa edulis. The main difference between the plants
is in appearance, the wooly-leaved sapote having a dense, white, furry
underside to its leaves. It is a medium to large tree which can grow
up to 50+ feet high. The small flowers are formed in
large groups and may occur off and on a few times per year, with fruit
ripening 6-8 months later. There are green skinned varieties, yellow
skinned varieties, and many in between. Pick fruits as they begin
to soften, but do not wait too long as fallen fruits tend to smash
when they drop due to their soft flesh. Mature trees can produce hundreds
of pounds of fruit every year. See also white
sapote.
Hardiness: The wooly-leaved sapote is subtropical to tropical,
but less hardy than the white sapote, succumbing to temperatures in
the mid 20's.
Growing Environment: It prefers a climate with moderate humidity. Hawaii
is usually too humid for best growth, Arizona usually too dry. It
colder areas, white sapotes do well in sunny locations, it warmer
areas shade may be provided. Water often, although trees can withstand
short periods of drought. Wooly-leaved sapote's have large tap root
systems that require deep soil. Only trees with trimmed roots (or
cuttings) can be container grown.
Propagation: Better parities are usually propagated by grafting
or budding, which produce fruit in 3-4 years. Seedling trees produce
in 6-8 years.
Uses: Fruits vary in quality, some cultivar have fairly good fruit much like the white sapote. Other cultivars have bitter fruit. Fruits are eaten raw.
Native Range: Native to Southern Mexico. It is not grown commercially.