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Sapodilla Tree

Manilkara zapota

Description:

Photos take in a jungle path from the lower branches of this giant tree, is a Chicozapote tree Mexican name, common in this area and all Yucatan Peninsula most know as Chicle tree. It can grow to more than 30 mt tall with an average trunk diameter of 1.5 mt. The average height of cultivated specimens, however, is usually between 9 and 15 mt with a trunk diameter not exceeding 50 cm. It is wind-resistant and the bark is rich in a white, gummy latex called chicle which Mayan´s use for different purposes, favorite by spider monkeys, birds, insects and humans.

Habitat:

The trees can only survive in warm, typically tropical environments, dying easily if the temperature drops below freezing. From germination, the sapodilla tree will usually take anywhere from five to eight years to bear fruit. The sapodilla trees yield fruit twice a year, though flowering may continue year round. Found in America In all The Caribbean sea to Brazil also in Asia, India.

Notes:

The fruit is a large ellipsoid berry, 4–8 cm in diameter, very much resembling a smooth-skinned potato and containing two to five seeds. Inside, its flesh ranges from a pale yellow to an earthy brown color with a grainy texture akin to that of a well-ripened pear. The seeds are black and resemble beans, with a hook at one end that can catch in the throat if swallowed. The fruit has a high latex content and does not ripen until picked, whereupon the fruit softens to a firmness and appearance very similar to that of a fuzzy, brown-skinned kiwifruit.The fruit has an exceptionally sweet, malty flavor. Many believe the flavor bears a striking resemblance to caramel or a pear candied with brown sugar. The unripe fruit is hard to the touch and contains high amounts of saponin, which has astringent properties similar to tannin, drying out the mouth. Wikipedia.

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2 Comments

Gerardo Aizpuru
Gerardo Aizpuru 11 years ago

Yes they grate Nopayahnah!

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Have you eaten one?

Gerardo Aizpuru
Spotted by
Gerardo Aizpuru

Mexico

Spotted on Apr 13, 2012
Submitted on Apr 13, 2012

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Reference

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