Star apple.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Tropical fruit tree

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 3 a 7 días

Tamaño adulto

25 to 50 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Medio

Rusticidad

USDA 10 a 12

Floración

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

Keep this tree in a spot with plenty of warmth and protection from strong winds. Watch for yellowing leaves which might signal poor drainage or nutrient issues. It thrives best when you maintain consistent moisture during its active growing season.

Riego

Water deeply whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Abonado

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to support fruit production.

Poda

Prune lightly once a year to maintain shape and remove any dead branches.

Trasplante

Repot only if the tree is in a container, otherwise it prefers to stay in the ground.

Suelo

Well draining loamy soil

pH del suelo

5.5 to 7.0

Temperatura

10 a 35°C

Humedad

60 a 90%

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally non-toxic, but the sticky latex sap can cause irritation if it contacts sensitive skin.

Niños

The fruit contains seeds that could pose a choking hazard to small children.

Alérgenos por contacto

The milky latex sap may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

The small flowers produce pollen that may trigger mild respiratory symptoms in sensitive people.

Comestibilidad

The fruit is edible when fully ripe, but the milky sap in unripe fruit is sticky and unpleasant.

Cómo identificarla

• Glossy dark green leaves
• Golden or purple leaf undersides
• Star pattern inside fruit
• Small white or purple flowers

Altura

8 a 20m

Anchura

4 a 10m

Hojas

dark green, golden brown, evergreen

Flores

white, purple, 0,5 a 1cm

Frutos

purple, green, Late winter to spring

Problemas frecuentes

• Scale insects — Small sap-sucking insects that cluster on stems and leaves.
• Root rot — Fungal infection caused by overly wet or poorly drained soil.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed, cuttings, air layering

Cuándo plantar

spring, summer

Plant this tree as a central canopy element to provide shade for smaller, understory tropical crops.

Buenas compañeras

• Cafeto — It provides excellent dappled shade for coffee plants.
• Plátano enano — They share similar moisture and soil requirements in a tropical garden.

Especies parecidas

• Manilkara zapota — Another tropical fruit tree with similar growth habits and requirements.

Ciencia

Familia

Sapotaceae

Género

Chrysophyllum

Orden

Ericales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical regions of Central America and the Caribbean.

Conservación

Not currently of conservation concern in its native range.

It grows in tropical rainforests where it utilizes its dense canopy to compete for light.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, provides shelter

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

ornamental shade tree, edible fruit, traditional medicine

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it grows best in full sun but tolerates light shade.

How long until it fruits?

Trees grown from seed can take 5 to 10 years to bear fruit.

De dónde viene el nombre

Chrysophyllum comes from the Greek words for gold and leaf, referring to the golden underside of the foliage. Cainito is the common name used in many Spanish-speaking regions.

Bueno saberlo

• It is commonly called the star apple because the seeds inside form a star pattern when cut crosswise.
• The tree is highly valued for its dense, glossy foliage.
• It thrives in tropical climates with consistent moisture.
• The fruit pulp is sweet and often eaten fresh or in desserts.