Mamey, Mammea, Mammee-apple
Mammea americana

Family: Calophyllaceae

What it is like

A medium sized evergreen tree. It grows 20-25 m tall. The leaves are glossy and oval. They are 10-20 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. The leaves are thick and have many parallel veins. Trees may have male and female flowers or they can be on separate trees. The flowers are showy and white. They are 5 cm across. The fruit is large, round, brown and sweet. They are 10-20 cm across. The skin is rough and leathery. It is about 3 mm thick. The flesh is deep orange. There are 4 seeds.

There are about 50 Mammea species. They grow in the tropics. Also put in the family Clusiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in the subtropics. It grows in areas with 1,500 mm of rain per year. It is damaged by frost. They will grow in a range of soils. It cannot tolerate poor drainage. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Antilles (country/location of origin), Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Brazil, Cape Verde, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Hispaniola, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh or cooked or used in jams. The fruit are best if sliced and left in water for a few hours. They are used to make ice-cream, drinks and preserves. The fruit can also be eaten with sugar and cream. The flowers are used to make an aromatic liqueur. The sap of the tree is used to make a fermented toddy.

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are normally grown from seed. Seed take 2 months to germinate. Cuttings and grafting are sometimes used.

Seedling trees produce in 6-10 years. Grafted trees produce after 4-5 years. A fruit can weigh 600-700 g.

Its other names

Local names

Abirico, Abrico, Abricote, Abricot d'Amerique, Akgchixitjak, Albricoque, Birico, Chacalhaaz, Mamey amarillo, Mamey de Santo Domingo, Mami, Mammee, Nomon

Synonyms

Mammea emarginata Moc. & Sesse ex DC.;