Sun Sapote
Couepia polyandra

Family: Chrysobalanaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 15 m tall. The leaves are 6-13 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The fruit are medium sized and oval with a rough surface. The can be 5-7 cm long. The flesh is soft and there is one seed inside. The pulp is yellow, juicy and fibrous.

There are 71 Couepia species. They are all in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Central America it grows between sea level to 900 m altitude. It can grow between sea level and 1,750 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Belize, Central America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh.

Fruit are sold in local markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants take up to 6 years to produce fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Camero, Fraile, Frailecillo, Guayabillo de tinta, Guayo, Gurupillo, Olosao, Olosapo, Olozapote, Palo fraile, Uspi, Uspiib, Uxpiib, Zapote bolo, Zapotillo amarillo

Synonyms

Couepia dodecandra (Moc. & Sesse ex DC.) Hemsl.; Couepia floccosa Fritsch; Hirtella dodecandra Moc. & Sesse ex DC.; and others