Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Wooly Leaved Sapote. Please visit our seed store to view current selections.

Description

Almost identical to the white sapote in growth and climatic requirements, the wooly-leaved sapote may be a subspecies of Casimiroa edulis. The main difference between the plants is in appearance, the wooly-leaved sapote having a dense, white, furry underside to its leaves. It is a medium to large tree which can grow up to 50+ feet high. The small flowers are formed in large groups and may occur off and on a few times per year, with fruit ripening 6-8 months later. There are green skinned varieties, yellow skinned varieties, and many in between. Pick fruits as they begin to soften, but do not wait too long as fallen fruits tend to smash when they drop due to their soft flesh. Mature trees can produce hundreds of pounds of fruit every year.

Hardiness

The wooly-leaved sapote is subtropical to tropical, but less hardy than the white sapote, succumbing to temperatures in the mid 20's.

Growing Environment

It prefers a climate with moderate humidity. Hawaii is usually too humid for best growth, Arizona usually too dry. It colder areas, white sapotes do well in sunny locations, it warmer areas shade may be provided. Water often, although trees can withstand short periods of drought. Wooly-leaved sapote's have large tap root systems that require deep soil. Only trees with trimmed roots (or cuttings) can be container grown.

Propagation

Better parities are usually propagated by grafting or budding, which produce fruit in 3-4 years. Seedling trees produce in 6-8 years.

Uses

Fruits vary in quality, some cultivar have fairly good fruit much like the white sapote. Other cultivars have bitter fruit. Fruits are eaten raw.

Native Range

Native to Southern Mexico. It is not grown commercially.

Related Species

Rutaceae
	Aegle marmelos Bael Fruit		Balsamocitrus dawei Uganda Powder Flask
	Casimiroa edulis White Sapote		Casimiroa tetrameria Wooly Leaved Sapote
	Citrus articulata West African Cherry Orange		Citrus aurantifolia Key Lime
	Citrus aurantium ssp bergamia Bergamot		Citrus australis Australian Round Lime
	Citrus garrowayi Mount White Lime		Citrus hystrix Kaffir Lime
	Citrus inodora Russel River Lime		Citrus junos Yuzu
	Citrus limon 'Ponderosa' Ponderosa Lemon		Citrus maxima Pummelo
	Citrus medica var. Etrog Etrog Citron		Citrus mitis Calamondin
	Citrus paradisi x Citrus reticulata Ugli Fruit		Citrus sinensis Moro Blood Orange
	Citrus sudachi Sudachi		Citrus x Meyeri Meyer Lemon
	Clausena excavata Pink Wampee		Clausena lansium Wampee
	Cneoridium dumosum Coast Spice Bush		Feronia limonia Wood Apple
	Glycosmis pentaphylla Orangeberry		Melicope ternata Wharangi
	Microcitrus australasica Australian Finger Lime		Murraya koenegii Curry Leaf
	Murraya paniculata Orange Jessamine		Poncirus trifoliata Trifoliate Orange
	Triphasia trifolia Limeberry