Mastic, Mastic jungleplum
Sideroxylon foetidissimum

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows up to 25 m tall. The leaves are simple and yellowish-green. They are oblong and 20 cm long. The flowers are small and creamy-yellow. They clasp the twigs. They have a smell like cheese. The fruit is fleshy with a stone. They are 2.5 cm across. They are deep yellow and sour. They have a gummy latex.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Central America and the West Indies. It grows in dry coastal forests and woodlands. It can tolerate drought and salt. It need full sun and does best in a fertile, well drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antigua, Antilles, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, North America, Puerto Rico, South America, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Virgin Islands, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need treatment before they will grow.

Its other names

Local names

Akoma, Akoma fran, Ascomat, Caguani, Caguini, Calla, Caya amarilla, Caya blanca, Caya prieta, Coguani, Coma, Goma, Jacuma, Jocuma, Juba, Koma, Tortigo amarillo, Tortugo colorado

Synonyms

Achras pallida (Sw.) Poir.; Bumelia auzuba Roem. & Schult.; Bumelia foetidissima (Jacq.) Willd.; Bumelia lucida (Sol. ex Lam.) Roem. & Schult.; Bumelia mastichodendron (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult.; Bumelia pallida Sw.; Bumelia pauciflora (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult.; Mastichodendron foetidissimium (Jacq.) H.Lam.; Mastichodendron foetidissimum subsp. typicum Cronquist; Mastichodendron foetidissimum var. cuneatum Kitan.; Mastichodendron sloaneanum Box & Philipson; Sideroxylon acouma A.DC.; Sideroxylon domingense Urb.; Sideroxylon foetidissimum var. quadriloculare (Pierre) Dubard; Sideroxylon jamaicense Urb.; Sideroxylon lucidum Sol. ex Lam.; Sideroxylon mastichodendron Jacq.; Sideroxylon mastichodendron var. pallidum (Sw.) M.Gómez; Sideroxylon nitidum Lam.; Sideroxylon obovatum C.F.Gaertn.; Sideroxylon oppositifolium Mill.; Sideroxylon pallidum (Sw.) Spreng.; Sideroxylon pallidum var. sphaericarpum A.DC. ; Sideroxylon pauciflorum Jacq.; Sideroxylon quadriloculare Pierre;