 Mabolo, Velvet Apple or (locally) bossing sa mabolo (Diospyros
blancoi) is a plant of the genus of ebony trees and persimmons,
Diospyros. Its edible fruit has a skin covered in a fine, velvety
fur which is usually reddish-brown, and soft, creamy, pink flesh,
with a taste and aroma comparable to fruit cream cheese(the aroma of
the fruit itself, however, is unpleasant, comparable to rotten
cheese or cat feces; inspiring names like the french "Caca de Chat"
in Reunion). It is native to the Philippines, where kamagong usually
refers to the entire tree, and mabolo is applied to the fruit.
Cultivation
It is a tropical tree that grows well in in a diversity of
grounds, from the sea level to the 2,400 feet above sea level. Seed
trees are normally planted 30 or 45 feet from each other; this one
can be planted from 25 to 30 feet from each other. It needs a good
distribution of rainfall through the year. Trees that were planted
by seeds could take 6 or 7 years to give out fruit, but trees that
were propagated by cuttings produce fruit in 3 or 4 years. It is a
very productive tree. In Puerto Rico it produces through the months
of August and October. |
