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Other Names: Golden Leaf Tree, Milk Fruit (English), Pomme Du Lait, Caïmitier (French), Caimito, Estrella (Spanish), Caninto, Ajara (Portuguese)
Related To:
[Sapotaceae] Abiu, Canistel, Mamey Sapote
Main Uses:
Fruit, Ornamental
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Mature Height/Spread:
25-80 feet depending on climate. Trees grown for fruit should be kept a reasonable height for harvesting. Has a spreading surface root system, make sure this tree has some space.
Flowering/Pollination:
Small clusters, occurring at leaf base on new growth.
Tolerance:
Moderate drought tolerance, but little tolerance for salt. Trees display browning of the leaves when in need of water.
Soil/Nutrition:
Grows well in all soils, but requires excellent drainage. Performs particularly well in a rich, sandy soil. Mulch this species with cheap, sandy bagged manure compost and wood chips. Grows quite well even on highly alkaline soils.
Light:
Full sun.
Wind:
Tree's smaller branches can be brittle. Plant this in a somewhat protected location, and secure until sturdy.
Temperature:
This tree displays some variability in cold tolerance. If you live in marginal zones with occasional frost you should be able to grow it, if you give it protection. Plant green varieties in marginal zones.
Dangers:
None.
Diseases Prone:
Bearing Age:
5-6 years from seed, 3-4 years from graft.
Fruit:
Plum to softball sized fruits, purple, pink, gold, bronze or green in color. When halved along the equator, the interior pattern is that of a star, with 2-5 seeds. Sweet translucent flesh, reminiscent of mild grapes, with harmless milky latex in the skin and flesh next to the bitter skin. Fruits do not fall when ripe, and must be picked, which is a difficult task on mature trees as the fruits are 20-30 feet high up in the canopy.
History/Origin:
There is some dispute as to it's native area, but it is likely a native of the West Indies. It has now naturalized throughout Central America, and can be found growing commonly in India, Southeast Asia, Florida and Hawaii.
Species Observations:
Trees are capable of setting very copious amounts of fruit, sometimes causing branches to break under the weight, especially in windy areas. The green forms tend to be more cold tolerant than the purple forms.
Propogation:
Commonly by seed. Grafting is becoming more common as many superior cultivars have been selected. The tree can also be propagated by marcot (air layer) fairly easily.
Recommended Varieties:
"Haitian" is a selection from Haiti, introduced to Florida by Bill Whitman in the 1950's. The fruits are deep purple, and have no sticky latex when cut open. The tree bears prolifically.
"Weeping" is an excellent type with both attractive, with an exaggerated weeping habit and larger than usual foliage and fruit, the big fruits being capable of reaching the size of a softball.
"Philippines Gold" is a selection which develops gold/green skin when ripe. Like the green types, "Gold" is more cold tolerant than purple.
Container Culture:
Possible, but not ideal.
Medicinal Uses:
Unknown
Nutritional Information:
Preparation / Food:
Fruits are eaten fresh, excellent when chilled.
Rather than cutting fruits in half and scooping out the flesh with a spoon, a popular alternative is to squeeze the tough fruit until it becomes rather tender, without breaking the skin, so that the meat of the fruit is somewhat liquefied inside. Cut a small hole in the top and drain the contents. Use a straw if there are too many seeds (and don't eat the seeds!).
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