Pouteria sapota, commonly known as Mamey Sapote, is an evergreen tree native to the lowland moist forests and dry forests of Central America and Mexico. It typically reaches a height of 25-40 feet and a spread of 20-35 feet. The tree has a dense, rounded canopy with glossy, leathery leaves that provide a lush, tropical appearance. Mamey Sapote produces small, inconspicuous white flowers throughout the summer, fall, and winter, followed by large, ovoid fruits with rough brown skin and vibrant orange-red flesh that is sweet and aromatic.

The Mamey Sapote is valued for its delicious fruit, which is high in vitamins and minerals, and for its ornamental qualities in tropical and subtropical landscapes. It is used in home gardens and commercial orchards for fruit production and as a shade tree. The tree requires full sun and medium water, thriving in well-drained soils with good fertility. While it is not drought-tolerant, established trees can withstand short dry periods. Grafting is the preferred method of propagation to ensure fruit quality and early bearing, as seed-grown trees are variable and take longer to fruit. The Mamey Sapote is relatively free of serious pests and diseases, but it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. It is not considered invasive outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0