Mimusops balata
| Mimusops balata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Mimusops balata [1] |
| Common name | Mauritius milkberry [2] |
| Genus | Mimusops [1] |
| Family | Sapotaceae [1] |
| Order | Ericales [3] |
| Growth form | Evergreen tree, growing fairly slowly and reaching about 20 m [4] |
| Native range | Mauritius and Réunion [1][2] |
| Habitat and site | Humid forest to about 1,100 m; also beside streams in drier areas [4] |
| Fruit | Bright-green globose to pear-shaped berry, about 5–7 cm across, with 1–7 seeds and sweet, agreeable pulp [4] |
| Propagation | Seed; sow 2–3 cm deep [4] |
Mimusops balata, commonly called Mauritius milkberry, is an evergreen sapotaceous tree native to Mauritius and Réunion. It is distinct from the American balata usage associated with Manilkara bidentata; the name balata should not be used to merge the two species. [1][2][3]
Description[edit | edit source]
Mimusops balata is a tree reported to reach about 20 m, with fairly slow growth. It occurs in humid forest up to approximately 1,100 m and is also found beside streams in drier areas. [4]
The fruit is a bright-green, globose to pear-shaped berry about 5–7 cm across. It contains one to seven seeds and has sweet pulp described as agreeable in flavour. [4]
Historical names associated with the species include Achras balata, Imbricaria balata, Mimusops commersonii and Mimusops maxima. These names are taxonomic synonyms, not separate fruit identities. [3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Humid-forest and streamside habitats point to a moisture-retentive but freely draining root zone as a sensible cultivation starting point. Keep the root zone supplied with water during active growth, but do not treat the streamside habitat as evidence that the tree requires stagnant or permanently waterlogged soil. This is a habitat-based cultivation inference rather than a measured soil recipe. [4]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The humid-forest setting supports beginning young plants in bright filtered light with good atmospheric humidity and airflow. Once the root system is established, exposure can be increased gradually where drying is controlled. This is a habitat-based inference; a species-specific light threshold is not supplied. [4]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Mauritius and Réunion habitats include humid forest as well as streamside sites in drier areas. In cultivation, that combination supports keeping moisture more even through warm active growth and reducing irrigation only as cooler or drier conditions lower demand, while preserving drainage. The species is described as fairly slow-growing, so avoid using a short flush of vigorous growth as a reason to keep the root zone continuously wet. These are habitat- and growth-based cultivation inferences, not a fixed seasonal schedule. [4]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Sow the seeds 2–3 cm deep. Germination is reported to begin after about eight weeks and continue over roughly four more weeks. Mechanical scarification at the rounded end may accelerate emergence. [4]
Seedlings develop a long taproot rapidly. Plant container-grown seedlings out while they are still small to limit root restriction; plants raised in a seedbed may remain in the nursery for about 8–9 months. Seeds are reported to remain storable for up to six months when kept airtight at ambient temperature. [4]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The documented fruit is a bright-green berry, globose to pear-shaped and about 5–7 cm across, with one to seven seeds. The available fruit description does not provide a universal flowering or harvest calendar, so a calendar schedule should not be transferred between climates; use local observation of fruit development when deciding when to harvest. [4]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The pulp is described as sweet with an agreeable flavour. The name Mauritius milkberry identifies this species; it does not refer to the American balata tree, Manilkara bidentata. [4][3]