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chicle tree, naseberry, sapodilla

Habit Trees, to 18 m. Leaves: petiole 10–30 mm; blade elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 60–140 × 20–50 mm, base cuneate to attenuate, margins sinuate, apex acute to acuminate (often folded on pressed specimens), surfaces brown-tomentose along midrib or glabrous abaxially, glabrous adaxially.
Inflorescences

solitary flowers.

Pedicels

10–20 mm, rufous-tomentose Flowers: sepals ovate to lanceolate, 7–10 mm, apex acute to obtuse, tomentose;

petals white, unlobed or irregularly 2–3-lobed, margins entire to irregularly 3-dentate apically, glabrous or sparsely hairy, corolla 7–11 mm, tube 4–6(–7) mm (equaling or exceeding lobes);

staminodes petaloid;

ovary hairy.

Berries

ellipsoid or depressed-globose to subglobose, 35–80 mm, surface roughened, scaly;

pedicels slightly enlarged distally.

Seeds

2–10, 15–25 mm.

2n

= 26.

Manilkara zapota

Phenology Flowering year-round.
Habitat Hammocks, disturbed areas, primarily in basic soils
Elevation 0-5 m (0-0 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
FL; Mexico; Central America [Introduced in North America; introduced also in West Indies]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Manilkara zapota is thought to be native to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua, and is widely cultivated elsewhere. In southern Florida, it is commonly cultivated and occasionally naturalized. The latex was the primary source of chicle, a major constituent of chewing gum before the substitution of synthetics. Mayans used the wood for lumber, but now the species is protected there in favor of preserving the fruits, which are highly prized.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 8, p. 235.
Parent taxa Sapotaceae > Manilkara
Sibling taxa
M. jaimiqui
Synonyms Achras zapota, Sapota achras
Name authority (Linnaeus) P. Royen: Blumea 7: 410. 1953 ,
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