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Chrysophyllum cainito is a tropical tree of the family Sapotaceae,
native to the lowlands of Central America and the West Indies. It
grows rapidly and reaches 20 m in height.
It has numerous common names including Cainito, Caimito, Star apple,
Golden leaf tree, Abiaba, Pomme de lait, Estrella, and Aguay. It is
also known by the synonym Achras caimito.The leaves are evergreen,
alternate, simple oval, entire, 5-15 cm long; the underside shines
like a golden color seen from a distance. The tiny flowers are
purplish white and have a sweet fragrant smell. The tree is also
hermaphroditic (self-fertile).
It has round, purple-skinned fruit that is often green around the
calyx, with a star pattern in the pulp. Sometimes there is a
greenish-white variety of the fruit. The skin is rich in latex, and
both it and the rind are not edible. The flattened seeds are light
brown and hard. It bears fruit year around after it reaches about
seven years of age.
The fruits are delicious as a fresh dessert fruit; it is sweet and
best served chilled. The flattened seeds are light brown and hard.
Medical use: Infusions of the leaves have been used against diabetes
and articular rheumatism. The bark is considered a tonic and
stimulant, and a bark decoction is used as an antitussive. The fruit
also exist in two colors, dark purple and greenish brown. The purple
fruit has a more dense skin and texture while the greenish brown
fruit has a thin skin and a more liquid pulp. |
