Chrysophyllum cainito

Star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito)
Scientific name	Chrysophyllum cainito L.
Common names	Star apple, caimito, golden-leaf tree
Genus	Chrysophyllum
Family	Sapotaceae
Order	Ericales
Growth form	Evergreen medium to large tree
Native range	Panama; cultivated and introduced widely in the tropical Americas and elsewhere
Native biome	Wet tropical forest and humid lowland woodland; regional reports also describe seasonal dryness
Mature height	7.9 to 30.5 m in a UF/IFAS landscape account
Climate and hardiness	Hot lowland tropics; young trees are frost-sensitive and mature trees can be damaged by light freezes
Soil	Fertile, well-drained soil; sandy or rocky calcareous sites can work when moisture is managed
Sun and humidity	Full sun; warm humid conditions with airflow
Propagation	Seed, grafting, budding, and air-layering
Years to fruit	Seedlings 5 to 10 years; vegetatively propagated trees 1 to 2 years, reported ranges
Fruit	Purple or green-skinned fruit with milky pulp and a star pattern in cross-section
Harvest	Florida report: generally February to May; fruit must be clipped from the tree when mature

Star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito) is an evergreen fruit tree in the genus Chrysophyllum, family Sapotaceae, and order Ericales. It is widely cultivated in tropical regions for its purple or green fruit, whose radiating seed cells form a star pattern when cut across.^[1][2]

Description

Star apple leaves at Pali o Waipio, Maui.

UF/IFAS describes star apple as a medium to large tree, 7.9 to 30.5 m tall, with a round to oval canopy and often weeping branches. The alternate elliptic leaves are slightly leathery, glossy green above, and golden-brown beneath. Small tubular flowers occur in clusters from the leaf axils.^[2]

Fruit may be round, oblate, or ellipsoid and about 5 to 10 cm across. The smooth leathery peel may be purple, dark purple, or pale green. The soft white pulp surrounds 6 to 11 seeds in rubbery seed cells; in a transverse cut, those cells radiate from the core to form the characteristic star. Purple and green forms differ in peel and inner rind color, and fruit quality varies among seedlings and selections.^[2]

Growing

Kew treats Chrysophyllum cainito as a tree native to Panama and associated with the wet tropical biome, while UF/IFAS gives the horticultural origin as the West Indies and Central America. Useful Tropical Plants describes humid lowland woodland habitat and notes successful cultivation in tropical or near-tropical regions, including areas with a distinct dry season.^[1][3]

Soil

Star apple is adapted to fertile, well-drained ground. UF/IFAS reports cultivation in both low- and high-pH sandy soils and in rocky calcareous soils, but recommends a site that does not flood or remain wet after ordinary summer rain. Where the water table is high or temporary flooding is common, the same source recommends planting on a 0.6 to 0.9 m mound. Useful Tropical Plants describes moist, well-drained soil and deep loam as favorable. These conditions indicate a need for regular moisture with oxygenated roots, not permanently stagnant water.^[2][3]

Sun and humidity

Use full sun for the best growth and fruit production. The species is a warm lowland tropical tree, and humid air is most useful when paired with airflow around the dense canopy. Young trees are particularly cold-sensitive: UF/IFAS reports damage or death around 31 to 32°F (-0.6 to 0°C), while mature trees may suffer branch or trunk damage below freezing and can be killed by temperatures in the low 20s°F (-4 to -6°C). Those thresholds come from a Florida landscape account and should not be treated as a universal hardiness rating.^[2]

Seasonal changes

The species grows in wet tropical conditions, but regional cultivation accounts also describe a distinct dry season. Established trees can tolerate some dry weather, while young trees and fruiting trees need irrigation during prolonged dry periods. Reduce irrigation when seasonal rains return, but avoid drought stress from bloom through fruit development. In Florida, UF/IFAS records flowering mainly from August to October and harvest generally from February to May; the calendar will shift with latitude, rainfall, cultivar, and local temperatures.^[2][3]

Propagation

Star apple may be propagated by seed, grafting, budding, or air-layering. Seedlings are variable and are reported to bear in about 5 to 10 years. UF/IFAS reports fruiting in about 1 to 2 years for vegetatively propagated trees, although establishment, scion maturity, rootstock, and climate affect the result. Grafting onto satin leaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme) is reported to produce a slow-growing dwarf tree. Use clonal propagation when a selected fruit type or compact habit must be preserved.^[2]

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

Star apple flowers at Pali o Waipio, Maui.

Flowers are small, tubular, and produced in axillary clusters. Some seedlings and cultivars, including 'Haitian Star' and 'Blanco Star', are reported to set fruit without cross-pollination; other seedlings may require cross-pollination. Treat self-fertility as selection- and site-dependent rather than universal.^[2]

Fruit does not normally fall when ripe. In the UF/IFAS harvest account, mature fruit has dull rather than glossy skin and is slightly soft or wrinkled; it should be clipped from the stem because pulling can damage the peel near the peduncle. Immature fruit is astringent and inedible because of gummy latex. Allow picked fruit to finish ripening at room temperature, then refrigerate it in a plastic bag if needed.^[2]

Fruit and uses

The ripe pulp is eaten fresh, usually by cutting the fruit across and spooning it from the peel. UF/IFAS also lists fruit salads and sorbets. The peel, rind, rubbery seed cells, seeds, and central core are discarded when preparing the fruit.^[2]

Photos

Star apple canopy with fruit and leaves at Pali o Waipio Huelo, Maui.

References

1. ↑ Plants of the World Online, Chrysophyllum cainito L. Accepted name, range, and biome; accessed 2026-08-25.
2. ↑ UF/IFAS Extension, Caimito (Star Apple) Growing in the Florida Home Landscape (HS309), morphology, climate, soil, propagation, pollination, flowering, harvest, and uses; accessed 2026-08-25.
3. ↑ Useful Tropical Plants, Chrysophyllum cainito habitat, cultivation, seasonal-dry context, and propagation notes; accessed 2026-08-25.

Image credits

• Star Apple (Kaimito).jpg — Alexcooper1, CC BY 3.0; star apple fruit.
• Starr-121108-0827-Chrysophyllum cainito-leaves-Pali o Waipio-Maui (25196417145).jpg — Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US; leaves at Pali o Waipio, Maui.
• Starr-121108-0828-Chrysophyllum cainito-flowers-Pali o Waipio-Maui (25103164401).jpg — Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US; flowers at Pali o Waipio, Maui.
• Starr-130312-2248-Chrysophyllum cainito-canopy fruit and leaves-Pali o Waipio Huelo-Maui (25180690886).jpg — Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US; canopy fruit and leaves at Pali o Waipio Huelo, Maui.