Satin-Leaf, Damson-plum
Chrysophyllum oliviforme

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree that loses its leaves. It grows 10 m high. The bark is thin and reddish-brown. It is scaly. The tree yields a milky latex when cut. The leaves are small and leathery. They are 10 cm long and oval. They are dark green and shiny on top. They have velvety rusty hairs underneath. The fruit are olive-like and dark purple. They have one seed. The seed is narrowly oval and 1.5 cm long. The pulp is fairly dry. It is edible.

There are about 80-150 Chrysophyllum species. They are mostly in tropical America. There are 44 species in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits hot humid climates. In Jamaica it grows up to 900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antilles, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Hawaii, Hispaniola, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, USA, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They can be used for jelly. The latex is chewed as a chewing gum.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown by cuttings and air-layering.

It is fairly slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Buah susu, Caimitillo de perro, Date-plum, Olive plum, Saffron-tree, Satin-leaf, Satinleaf, Wild star-apple

Synonyms

Chrysophyllum brachycalyx Urb.; Chrysophyllum monopyrenum Swartz.; Chrysophyllum platyphyllum (Urb.) Urb. Cynodendron oliviforme (L.) Baehni; Sideroxylon derryanum King and Gamble; and others