- Home »
- Information »
- Star Apple
Star Apple
Chrysophyllum cainito
Round, baseball sized fruit that when cut has a core that takes on a star shape. Pulp is soft and sweet. The star apple usually comes in two forms, either the dark purple skinned variety with red-purple pulp, or the green skinned variety with clear-white pulp. The star apple is a very popular fruit in many tropical parts of the world.
Seed Availability
Seeds are not available for the Star Apple. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in March 2018.
Description
A medium to large sized tree from 25-80ft high. Leaves are very pretty, with a glossy green surface, and a shimmering gold velvety underside.
Hardiness
Star apples are tropical, and will not survive more than a couple of degrees of frost.
Growing Environment
Young trees are highly susceptible to any kind of frost or cold wind. Trees need balanced watering throughout the year.
Propagation
Either by seeds, which take 5-10 years to bear, or by grafting and budding, with trees coming to bear in 2-4 years.
Uses
Star apples are eaten fresh. The pulp is usually spooned out as to avoid the bitter tasting rind. The fresh fruit is also often added to salads, drinks, and other dishes.
Native Range
Native to tropical America, from the Caribbean through Central America. Is now grown commercially in Central and South America as well as tropical Asia and Africa. Occasionally grown commercially in parts of south Florida.
Related Species
Sapotaceae | |||
Argania spinosa Argan |
Chrysophyllum cainito Star Apple | ||
Chrysophyllum oliviforme Satin Leaf Tree |
Chrysophyllum soboliferum (Pradosia brevipes) Armadillo Fruit | ||
Manilkara bidentata, Mimusops balata Ausubo |
Manilkara huberi Massaranduba | ||
Manilkara zapota Sapodilla |
Mimusops elengi Spanish Cherry | ||
Pouteria bullata Abiurana |
Pouteria caimito Abiu | ||
Pouteria campechiana Canistel |
Pouteria gardneriana Abuai | ||
Pouteria hypoglauca Cinnamon Apple |
Pouteria lucuma (Lucuma obovata) Lucuma | ||
Pouteria multiflora Bully Tree |
Pouteria pachycalyx Bapeba | ||
Pouteria pariry Frutao |
Pouteria ramiflora Macaranduba | ||
Pouteria sapota Mamey Sapote |
Pouteria torta Curiola | ||
Pouteria ucuqui Ucuqui |
Pouteria venosa Aboirana | ||
Pouteria viridis Green Sapote |
Sideroxylon foetidissimum Mastic | ||
Sideroxylon obtusifolium Jungleplum |
Synsepalum dulcificum Miracle Fruit | ||
Synsepalum subcordatum Giant Miracle Fruit |