Common Name: Sansapote

General Information

Sansapote is a moderately large, deciduous forest tree with a straight cylindrical bole that can range in height from 10 - 30 metres, occasionally as much as 50 metres tall[]. A handsome, erect tree with a rounded crown of heavily foliaged thick branches[]. Large trees have small buttresses at the base[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible fruits, which are sometimes sold in local markets[]. A popular fruit in pre-Colombian times, but much less important at the present time[]. It is much planted as an ornamental and shade tree throughout Central America[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Northern S. America - Colombia; C. America - Panama to southern Mexico.

Habitat

Dense forests, especially old forests, where it is more common on well-drained slopes[, ]. Forests, most commonly near rivers, but also in forests away from rivers[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the hot, tropical lowlands with a seasonally dry period[]. Usually found at elevations below 600 metres[].
Prefers a well-drained soil[].
Seedling plants commence fruiting when about 10 years old[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - occasionally eaten[]. The yellow, granular flesh is juicy and sweet[, ]. The flesh can be dry or juicy[]. The fruit is a large, spherical, berry, greenish-brown then yellow, with lenticels[]. When ripe, the flesh smells like fresh pumpkin[]. The fruit varies in size, with some specimens reported to be 20cm long and 14cm in diameter[]. The fruits are about 15cm long[]. Individual fruits can weigh 900g[]. The fruit is considered unwholesome by many people[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The sapwood is pale-yellow or light yellowish-brown; the heartwood is purplish-brown or reddish, fine-grained, very heavy and strong[]. It is suitable for fine furniture and cabinetwork, but it is not durable in contact with the ground[]. The wood is little-known, inasmuch as the trees are valued and seldom felled[].

Propagation

Seed -

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