|
Chico-Sapota achras Mill. / Manilkara zapota Linn |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Bonsai King
|
|
Wednesday, 16 December 2009 10:24 |
Local Name:
|
Chico, Chiku, Sapodilla, Chico sapote, Zapote chico, Zapotillo, Chicle, Sapodilla plum, Naseberry.
|
|
Scientific Name:
|
Sapota achras Mill., Manilkara zapota Linn., Sapota zapotilla Coville |
Family: Sapotaceae
|
|
 |
 |
|
Habitat
|
|
|
|
The chico is native to Yucatan and possibly other nearby parts of southern Mexico, northern Belize, and northeastern Guatemala. It has for a long time been introduced into the West Indies and South America but has been carried to Mauritius, to Java, to the Philippines, and to the continent of India.
|
Propagation
|
|
|
|
By seeds or grafting. Seeds can remain viable for several years.
|
Comments
|
|
|
A slow growing and very large and, very branched tree, that can reach over 40 ft in the tropics. Fruiting occurs 4-6 months after flowering, with fruit sometimes ripening in bunches multiple times of the year. The leaves are oblong to narrowly oblong-obovate, 3 to 4-1/2 inches long and 1 to 1-1/2 inches wide. They are medium green, glossy, alternate and spirally clustered at the tip of forked twigs. Chico flowers are small, inconspicuous and bell-like, approximately 3/8 inch in diameter. They are borne on slender stalks in the axil of the leaves. There are several flushes of flowers throughout the year.The fruit is round to egg-shape, 2 - 4 inches in diameter. The skin is brown and scruffy when ripe. The flesh varies from yellow to shades of brown and sometimes reddish-brown, and may be smooth or of a granular texture. The flavor is sweet and pleasant, ranging from a pear flavor to crunchy brown sugar. Fruits can be seedless, but usually have from 3 to 12 hard, black, shiny, flattened seeds about 3/4 inch long in the center of the fruit.
|
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 March 2010 13:00 |