Ausubo, Balata
Mimusops balata

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20-45 m high. The leaves are 10-13 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. The flowers are in groups of 1-3 in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round and 3-5 cm across. There are 2-8 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Brazil, Central America, Comores, East Africa, Guianas, Madagascar, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seeds are very slow to germinate. It is a very long lived tree.

Its other names

Local names

Assapookoo

Synonyms

Achras balata Aubl.; Binectaria borbonica Kuntze; Imbricaria balata (Aubl.) A.Chev.; Imbricaria binectaria A.DC.; Imbricaria borbonica C.F.Gaertn. [Invalid]; Imbricaria commersonii G.Don [Illegitimate]; Imbricaria gigantea Pierre ex Baill.; Imbricaria maxima Poir.; Kaukenia commersonii (G. Don) Pierre ex Engl.; Mimusops balota Blume Mimusops commersonii (G.Don) Engl. Mimusops imbricaria Willd.; Mimusops maxima (Poir.) R. E. Vaughan; Mimusops nattarium Willemet; Mimusops retusa Willemet;