Mastic, Sapotilla, Tempisque
Sideroxylon capiri subsp. tempisque

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree which loses its leaves. It grows 35 m high. The trunk can be 120 cm across. It has stout, simple buttresses to 2.5 m high. The bark is pale with slight cracks. The young leaves and shoots do not have hairs. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit are green. They turn yellow or violet as they ripen.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in seasonal semi-deciduous forest. It grows from sea level to 1500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Acana, Casaguate, Cobac, Cosaguite, Danto amarilla, Maceta, Tempisque, Tempiste, Tempixte

Synonyms

Sideroxylon tempisque Pittier; Mastichodendron capiri var. tempisque (Pittier) Cronquist;