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Other Names: South American Sapote, Matisia
Related To:
Malvaceae (Durian, Cacao Flower, Malabar Chesnut)
Main Uses:
Fruit; Ornamental
Growth Rate:
Fast
Mature Height/Spread:
Large tree (to 50') in tropical climates, smaller tree size in marginal climates. Large cordate leaves are 20-22" across.
Flowering/Pollination:
Cauliflorous, self-fertile, occurring in the hundreds along the main branches and trunk.
Tolerance:
Moderately tolerant of drought. Mild tolerance for salt.
Soil/Nutrition:
Moist, fertile, well drained. Can tolerate a little dryness, but prefers moisture in the soil. Widely adaptable, but requires constant nutrition and water during active growing periods. This species likes abundant nitrogen and potassium. 9-2-11 is a good general fertilizer ratio for this fruiting species which can grow very quickly.
Light:
Full Sun
Wind:
This geometrical tree is quite sturdy, despite often losing it's large leaves to wind. It is very resilient to leaf loss.
Temperature:
Sensitive to temperatures below 40 F when young. Once established, the tree can withstand occasional light frosts.
Dangers:
None.
Diseases Prone:
Unknown
Bearing Age:
5-6 years from seeds; 2-3 years from a graft.
Fruit:
Mild mango-melon flavor, with hints of strawberry. Some consider it bland. Top-shaped fruits are ripe when white ring appears around the stem of the fruit. Flesh is orange and typically fiberous. Much of the flesh clings to the seed, and for this reason the fruit is called "chupa-chupa" (suck-suck) as the flavor must be sucked from the flesh surrounding the seed.
History/Origin:
This tree is native to the amazon basin, where it is cultivated in forest stands, and harvested from the wild for market.
Species Observations:
Large leaves of this tree may be damaged by cold, but branches are significantly hardier than the foliage. This is one of the few truly tropical species which can be grown in cooler parts of the tropics like south Florida, wherever frost is seldom.
Propogation:
By seed. "Dulse" is the only selected US cultivar; which has sweeter flesh than seedling grown trees.
Container Culture:
Possible, but not recommended due to size of tree.
Medicinal Uses:
Unknown
Nutritional Information:
Fruits are likely quite nutritious. They do contain significant amounts of carotenes and fiber.
Preparation / Food:
Usually eaten fresh, preferably chilled. Can be used for juicing and blended drinks.
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