Manilkara zapota, commonly known as sapodilla (Spanish: [ˌsapoˈðiʝa]),[4]sapote, chicozapote, chicoo, chicle, naseberry, nispero, or
soapapple, among other names,[5][6] is an
evergreen tree native to southern Mexico and Central America. An example natural occurrence is in coastal
Yucatán, in the
Petenes mangroves ecoregion, where it is a subdominant plant species.[7] It was introduced to the
Philippines during Spanish colonization. It is grown in large quantities in Mexico and in tropical Asia, including India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, as well as in the Caribbean.
Sapodilla can live up to one hundred years.[8][9] It can grow to more than 30 m (98 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m (5 ft). The average height of cultivated specimens, however, is usually between 9 and 15 m (30 and 49 ft) with a trunk diameter not exceeding 50 cm (20 in).[10] It is wind-resistant and the bark is rich in a white, gummy
latex called
chicle. The ornamental leaves are medium green and glossy. They are alternate, elliptic to ovate, 7–15 cm (3–6 in) long, with an entire margin. The white flowers are inconspicuous and bell-like, with a six-lobed corolla. An unripe fruit has a firm outer skin and when picked, releases white chicle from its stem. A fully ripened fruit has saggy skin and does not release chicle when picked.
The fruit is a large berry, 4–8 cm (2–3 in) in diameter.[11][12] 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. Each fruit contains one to six seeds.[12] The seeds are hard, glossy, and black, resembling beans, with a hook at one end that can catch in the throat if swallowed.
The fruit has an exceptionally sweet, malty flavor. 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.
The trees can survive only in warm, typically tropical environments (although it has low tolerance to drought and heat in its early years),[13] 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.[14]
Other names
Most of the common names of Manilkara zapota like "sapodilla", "chiku", and "chicozapote" come from
Spanish meaning "little
sapote".[6] Other common names in English include bully tree, soapapple tree, sawo, marmalade plum[15] and dilly tree.[citation needed]
^National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.).
Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US).
ISBN978-0-309-48834-1.
PMID30844154.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link)
^USDA, NRCS (n.d.).
"Manilkara zapota". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
^
abHarris, Kate (2009). Trees of Belize. Belize: Bay Cedar Publishing. pp. 94–95.
ISBN9780992758202.
^Growing Sapodilla: Manilkara zapota. Garden Oracle. Retrieved 8 August, 2023. "Heat tolerant: These trees have difficulty when young, over 90°F, and when mature, over 105°F. They will need afternoon shade and extra water in these temperatures. Drought tolerant: Yes, after three years."