Manilkara zapota
Sapotaceae
chicle tree, naseberry, sapodilla
sapodilla family
alternate or whorled (fascicled) on short shoots, simple;
stipules present or absent;
petiole with decurrent, adaxial wing forming channel or groove;
blade margins entire;
venation pinnate.
solitary flowers.
axillary, fasciculate or solitary flowers at leafy or defoliated nodes on older growth.
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.
bisexual [unisexual];
perianth and androecium hypogynous;
sepals [2–]4–8[–11], distinct;
petals 4–8[–9], connate proximally, lobes not divided or divided into 1 median and 2 lateral [abaxial] segments, corolla rotate, cyathiform, or tubular;
nectary disc present;
stamens 4–8[–12], antipetalous, epipetalous;
anthers dehiscent by longitudinal slits;
pistils 1, [1–]3–12[–30]-carpellate;
ovary superior, [1–]3–12[–15]-locular;
placentation axile, basal, or basiventral;
ovules anatropous or hemitropous, unitegmic, tenuinucellate;
styles 1, terminal, exserted or included;
stigmas 1, capitate or slightly lobed.
baccate [capsular].
ellipsoid or depressed-globose to subglobose, 35–80 mm, surface roughened, scaly;
pedicels slightly enlarged distally.
2–10, 15–25 mm.
1–10, brown to black, shiny, indurate;
hilum prominent;
embryo vertical, oblique, or horizontal;
endosperm oily or absent.
= 26.
Manilkara zapota
Sapotaceae
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.)
Genera 53, species ca. 1100 (5 genera, 16 species in the flora).
The monophyly of the Sapotaceae (including Sarcosperma) is supported by molecular phylogenetic studies (A. A. Anderberg and U. Swenson 2003; Swenson and Anderberg 2005). Three subfamilies were proposed by Swenson and Anderberg in contrast to the five tribes recognized by T. D. Pennington (1991, 2004, 2004b) and R. Govaerts et al. (2001). The Sapotaceae are characterized by the presence of latex, malpighian hairs, fasciculate inflorescences, and antipetalous stamens. The family is widespread throughout the tropics and has economically important species. Manilkara zapota provides chicle for chewing gum, and some species provide edible fruits, e.g., Chrysophyllum cainito (star-apple), Pouteria mammosa (mamey), and P. campechiana (canistel or egg-fruit). Mature fruits of our species of Sideroxylon are edible, and have not been exploited economically. Chrysophyllum oliviforme and Mimusops elengi are handsome trees and often planted as ornamentals.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Sepals 6 or 8 in 2 whorls, outer valvate | → 2 |
1. Sepals 4-6 in 1 whorl, imbricate | → 3 |
2. Sepals 8 in 2 whorls of 4; hilum circular. | Mimusops |
2. Sepals 6 in 2 whorls of 3; hilum linear. | Manilkara |
3. Corolla lobes divided; stems not armed or armed with thorns; seeds 4-12 mm. | Sideroxylon |
3. Corolla lobes undivided; stems unarmed; seeds 13-40 mm | → 4 |
4. Petioles 5-10 mm; leaves densely hairy abaxially; staminodes absent. | Chrysophyllum |
4. Petioles 10-51 mm; leaves glabrous or glabrate abaxially; staminodes petaloid | → 5 |
5. Pedicels glabrous; sepals 1.5-2 mm; berries yellow to orange. | Sideroxylon |
5. Pedicels densely hairy; sepals 4.5-11 mm; berries brown | Pouteria |
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