Casimiroa edulis
| Casimiroa edulis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Casimiroa edulis |
| Common names | white sapote, white sapota, casimiroa, Mexican apple, zapote blanco, matasano |
| Genus | Casimiroa |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Fruit type | Drupe |
| Growth form | Medium to large evergreen or semi-deciduous tree |
| Native range | Mexico through Central America |
| Climate and site | Warm subtropical to tropical; seasonally dry highland conditions |
| Mature size | About 4.6–18 m, depending on site, cultivar, and pruning |
| Propagation | Fresh seed; grafting, budding, and air-layering |
| Years to fruit | About 7–8 years from seed; about 3–4 years grafted, variable |
White sapote is a subtropical fruit tree native to Mexico and Central America. The accepted name is *Casimiroa edulis* La Llave, in Rutaceae. White sapote, white sapota, zapote blanco, and Mexican apple are common names; they should not be used to merge this species with unrelated sapote fruits.[1]
Description[edit | edit source]
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The tree is evergreen or can become semi-deciduous under seasonal stress. Leaves are palmately compound, commonly with five leaflets. Flowers are small, pale green to cream, and borne in panicles. The fruit is a drupe with smooth white to off-white custard-like flesh, usually greenish yellow to golden when mature.[2]
Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]
Kew lists a native range from Mexico through Central America. The species is associated with seasonally dry tropical woodland and subtropical highland conditions rather than continuously wet lowland forest. Elevation reports vary, so a warm, well-drained site is more useful horticultural guidance than a rigid altitude limit.[1][3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Plant white sapote in full sun and rapid-draining soil. UF/IFAS reports adaptation to sands, clays, and limestone-derived soils provided the site does not remain wet. Young trees need regular establishment water, while established trees mainly need irrigation during prolonged drought; routine overwatering can cause decline. Protect young plants from hard freezes and choose the warmest available microclimate.
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Drainage is the key site requirement. Soil texture is adaptable, but standing water and frequent overwatering are poor fits. Mulch can conserve moisture and reduce grass competition, but keep it away from the trunk.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun is recommended for growth and fruiting. The species comes from seasonally dry environments, and no precise humidity percentage is established. Good airflow, full light, and cold protection are more defensible priorities than trying to reproduce continuously wet tropical humidity.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
A cool or dry period may induce dormancy, followed by flowering as warmth or rain returns. UF/IFAS reports flowering from late fall through early summer and harvest generally in spring and summer, with cultivar and climate variation. Cold during flowering can reduce fruit set. Reduce irrigation in genuinely cool or dry periods only as the plant and soil require, not by a fixed calendar.[2]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Fresh seed is suitable for rootstocks or nonselected trees, but seeds should be sown promptly and in deep containers because seedlings develop a taproot. Named cultivars do not come true from seed. Grafting, budding, and air-layering are documented methods for clonal material; UF/IFAS reports grafting and budding work best during active warm-season growth. Seedlings commonly take about 7–8 years to fruit, while grafted plants are reported at about 3–4 years, both variable.[2][4]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Small flowers are produced in panicles and may be functionally female or hermaphroditic depending on the variety. Insect pollination is reported, and some selections may crop more reliably with a compatible second tree. Fruit may be clipped several days before natural drop and ripened at room temperature; ripe fruit is perishable but can be refrigerated for a short period.[2]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe fruit is usually eaten fresh. The smooth, sweet flesh is also used in milkshakes and desserts. Seeds should not be eaten: UF/IFAS describes them as poisonous, and conflicting older reports about roasting do not justify an edible-seed recommendation.[2]
Photos[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Casimiroa edulis 2 fruit.jpg — Robyn Jay, CC BY-SA 2.0.
- Fruto y hojas de Casimiroa edulis (zapote blanco).jpg — Sofree, CC BY-SA 3.0.