Mimusops maxima

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 20 m tall. The bark is rough and cracked. The ends of the branches are thick. The leaves are arranged in spirals or in tufts at the ends of branches. They are simple, entire and dark green. The leaves blade is narrowly oval and 7-13 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. They are wedge shaped at the base and rounded at the tip. The flowers are in 1-3 tufts in the leaf axils. They contain both sexes. They are reddish-brown. The fruit is round or pear shaped and 5-7 cm across. They are bright green and contain 1-7 seeds. The seeds are flattened.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in humid lowland forest in Reunion. It grows from 700-1,100 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Bourbon, Reunion, Mauritius

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The fruit are allowed to partly rot then the seeds are removed. Seeds germinate over 2-3 months. Scratching the round end of the seed helps them grow more quickly. Seedlings can be put in a nursery and then transplanted after 8-9 months.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Imbricaria maxima Poir.;