Aguai chico, Angledfruit starapple
Chrysophyllum gonocarpum

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8-10 m high. The trunk is 40-50 cm across. It has a dense crown of leaves. The leaves are alternate and in groups near the ends of branches. The leaf stalk is 1.5-2 cm long. The leaves are 14-17 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped. The fruit is round and 1.5-2 cm across. It is divided into 5 compartments. The seeds are oval.

There are about 80-150 Chrysophyllum species. They are mostly in tropical America. There are 44 species in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Paraguay, Peru, South America, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is used in sweet dishes.

The fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and put in a heap to help the flesh decompose and make the seeds easier to remove. They are then washed with running water. Seeds can be stored for about 6 months. Fresh seed should be planted. They germinate in about 20-30 days.

Plants grow slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Aguai-guacu, Aguai-da-nena, Aguai-de-serra, Aguay, Bapeba, Bvoi'i, Caxeta, Caxeta-amarela, Coerana, Cuite-branco, Guatambu, Guatambu-de-leite, Guatambu-de-sapo, Japu'iywa, Junita'ywa, Mato-olho, Peroba-branca

Synonyms

Chloroluma gonocarpa (Mart. & Eichler) Baill.; Chrysophyllum cearaenses F. Allemao; Chrysophyllum cysneiri Allano; Chrysophyllum lucumifolium Griseb.; Chrysophyllum obtusifolium Allemao; Chrysophyllum persicastrum Eichler; Pouteria boliviana (Rusby) Baehni; Sapota gonocarpa Martius & Eichler; Sideroxylon bolivianum Rusby; Sideroxylon reticulatum Britton;