White Sapote

Distribution: Throughout tropical highland and subtropical areas of Latin America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean region, India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

History: White sapote was introduced into the US circa 1810.

Importance: White sapote is generally harvested from seedling trees and sold in local markets. However, white sapote is grown on a small commercial scale in the US, Australia, and Mexico.

DESCRIPTION
TREE

Medium to large trees; 15 ft to 60 ft (4.6–18.3 m). Trees may have an upright to spreading growth habit.

LEAVES

Leaves are palmately compound with 3 to 7 leaflets (usually 5). Leaflets are lanceolate, 3 to 5 inches long (7.6–12.7 cm) and 1 to 2 inches wide (2.54–5.0 cm).

INFLORESCENCE (FLOWERS)

Flowers are held in terminal or axillary panicles with 15 to 100 flowers or more. Flowers are small (3/8 inch [1 cm] in diameter]), pale green to cream colored, 5 sepals, petals, and stamens. Some varieties produce only functionally female flowers, whereas others produce hermaphroditic flowers.

FRUIT

White sapote is a drupe with a thin, greenish-yellow to yellow to golden yellow peel, 2 ½ inches to 4 ½ inches (6-11 cm) or more in diameter, and weigh between 2.5–24.7 oz (70–700 g). The pulp is sweet, white to off-white and smooth. Some varieties or seedling fruit may have a slightly bitter aftertaste, especially the pulp near the peel. The number of seeds varies from 1 to 5, and they are poisonous.

POLLINATION

White sapote flowers are pollinated by insects. Some varieties may only produce functionally female flowers and thus require cross pollination for good fruit production.