{"id":1083,"date":"2023-12-17T10:43:25","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T02:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.org.au\/wp\/?page_id=1083"},"modified":"2024-03-04T19:51:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T11:51:29","slug":"chrysophyllum-cainito","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/fruit-trees\/chrysophyllum-cainito\/","title":{"rendered":"Chrysophyllum cainito"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chrysophyllum cainito<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Star apple, caimito<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-1007\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-1007 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"Chrysophyllum cainito\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_1007\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_1007\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1010 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1010\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/chrysophyllum-cainito-tree.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/chrysophyllum-cainito-tree-300x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"300\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-1007 slide-1010\" title=\"distinctive yellow-bronze leaf underside\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1008 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1008\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/chrysophyllum-cainito-fruit.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/chrysophyllum-cainito-fruit-300x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"300\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-1007 slide-1008\" title=\"purple-skinned fruit type\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1009 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1009\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/chrysophyllum-cainito-cut-fruit.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/chrysophyllum-cainito-cut-fruit-300x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"300\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-1007 slide-1009\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Origin<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Southern meso-America. Initial domestication likely occurred in Panama, and it is now grown in many warm climate regions of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Climate<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Best adapted to hot and humid tropical climates up to 1000m with a definite dry season. Temperatures of 4\u00b0C and below will cause defoliation and then more severe damage and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant Description<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>An ornamental tropical tree up to 20m tall, less in cultivation, with scaly brown bark and a dense crown. It is evergreen in the tropics but semi-<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3205 classtoolTips3205'>deciduous<\/span> in cooler climates. The simple entire alternate <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3216 classtoolTips3216'>distichous<\/span> oblong-elliptic leaves, 6-15 x 3-5cm, with a 1-2cm <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3348 classtoolTips3348'>petiole<\/span> are glossy green on the upper side and golden brown underneath. There is a substantial taproot and copious gummy white <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3298 classtoolTips3298'>latex<\/span> is exuded with injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relatives<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>A member of the Sapotaceae Family, with the genus <em>Chrysophyllum<\/em> currently (2021) having 52 accepted species. Other fruiting species in the family include mamey sapote, green sapote, canistel, abiu, lucuma and sapodilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soils<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>The tree is not particular as to soil, but it needs good drainage and prefers slight acidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Propagation<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Mostly by seeds which don\u2019t come true to type. Best results are obtained if sown within a month of collection, but if kept dry will remain viable for a few months. They should first be <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3897 classtoolTips3897'>scarified<\/span> (sandpaper) then soaked in water for 24 hours. Germination is <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3232 classtoolTips3232'>epigeal<\/span> and at ambient temperature may take 25-50 days with success rates up to 80-90% possible. The seedlings are <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3349 classtoolTips3349'>phanerocotylar<\/span>.  Mature wood <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3202 classtoolTips3202'>cuttings<\/span> are easy to strike, and tip cuttings can be rooted under mist. <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3780 classtoolTips3780'>Marcots<\/span> can be produced in 4-7 months and resulting plants will bear early. Budded or self-<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3774 classtoolTips3774'>grafted<\/span> trees can sometimes fruit within a year of being set in-ground, and selected Caimito <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3457 classtoolTips3457'>varieties<\/span> can be <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3283 classtoolTips3283'>inarched<\/span> on star apple seedlings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cultivars<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Caimito is a semi-domesticated fruit and the few named varieties come from wild selections rather than breeding; some available in Australia are Haitian, Grimal and Pink. Breeding goals would be to improve cold tolerance, dwarfing, increase fruit pulp proportion, reduce the <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3293 classtoolTips3293'>juvenility<\/span> period and increase storage life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flowering and Pollination<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p><span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3380 classtoolTips3380'>Ramiflorous<\/span> or <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3176 classtoolTips3176'>cauliflorous<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3145 classtoolTips3145'>axillary<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3288 classtoolTips3288'>inflorescences<\/span> are <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3242 classtoolTips3242'>fascicles<\/span> on current season\u2019s growth, with 5-20 tightly bunched small flowers that can be green, cream-white or purple on 0.5-1cm <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3341 classtoolTips3341'>pedicels<\/span>. The slightly unpleasant smelling flowers with petal <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3334 classtoolTips3334'>osmophores<\/span> are morphologically <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3269 classtoolTips3269'>hermaphrodite<\/span> with 4-6 <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3405 classtoolTips3405'>sepals<\/span> and a tubular 5-lobed 3-4mm long <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3192 classtoolTips3192'>corolla<\/span>; lobes are about the same length as the tube. There are 5-6 <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3417 classtoolTips3417'>stamens<\/span>, 1-1.5mm long, inserted at the top of the tube or the base of the lobes; <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3419 classtoolTips3419'>staminodes<\/span> are usually absent. The ovoid-<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3258 classtoolTips3258'>globose<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3431 classtoolTips3431'>superior ovary<\/span> has 8-10 <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3308 classtoolTips3308'>locules<\/span> that each contain a single <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3336 classtoolTips3336'>ovule<\/span>. Flowering occurs in late summer to early autumn. <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3134 classtoolTips3134'>Anthesis<\/span> of 2-3 flowers in an <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3288 classtoolTips3288'>inflorescence<\/span> occurs early each day and stigmas may become receptive some hours later. There has been little work done on sexual reproduction in this neotropical genus, with some species being structurally hermaphrodite, <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3214 classtoolTips3214'>dioecious<\/span>, <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3317 classtoolTips3317'>monoecious<\/span>, <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3130 classtoolTips3130'>andromonoecious<\/span> and <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3366 classtoolTips3366'>polygamous<\/span>. Functional behaviour may not conform with these processes for a number of reasons, eg <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3212 classtoolTips3212'>dichogamy<\/span>, genetic self-incompatibility or <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3361 classtoolTips3361'>pollen<\/span> sterility. Molecular genetic studies have revealed the norm in neotropical trees is facultative <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3470 classtoolTips3470'>xenogamy<\/span>, and cryptic <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3264 classtoolTips3264'>gynomonoecy<\/span> has been reported for <em>C marginatum<\/em>, a taxonomically close relative of <em>cainito.<\/em> Many insects visit the flowers to gather pollen and <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3676 classtoolTips3676'>nectar<\/span>, but bees and flies are the main pollinators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cultivation<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Young trees should be watered at least weekly. Irrigation during and after the flowering period will improve yield. They can survive without any fertiliser but productivity is improved, particularly in limestone and other infertile soils, if NPK is given from a young age, increasing to 3kg\/tree\/year as they mature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wind Tolerance<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Poor, needs shelter from wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pruning<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Early pruning involves selection of 3-4 main branches to establish a balanced scaffold, and dead or crossing branches should be removed. Tree size should be contained when mature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Fruit<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Fruit are smooth-skinned apple-sized <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3148 classtoolTips3148'>berries<\/span> (average 100g but up to 250; the more seeds the bigger), almost spherical, surrounded with a leathery skin that comes in two types when mature, green and purple. Generally the purple-skinned varieties have better flavour but are slightly smaller. The sweet and jelly-like flesh is generally white to creamy-white depending on type and contains on average 5-6 (rarely none) shiny elliptic laterally compressed <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_4358 classtoolTips4358'>adaxial<\/span> smooth dark brown seeds, 0.5-1.5cm long, 5-6g, with a white seed scar (<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3273 classtoolTips3273'>hilum<\/span>) almost the length of the seed. The common name star fruit derives from the pattern seen when the fruit is cut transversely. It has no outstanding nutritional properties apart from good polyphenol antioxidant levels. Flesh carbohydrate content, mainly glucose, is normally about 15% but up to 28%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fruit Production and Harvesting<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Seedlings may take up to 15 years to progress from the juvenility period (some may never fruit), but this can be reduced to less than 4-5 with <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3774 classtoolTips3774'>grafting<\/span>. Fruit mature in a staged fashion about 180 days after <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3250 classtoolTips3250'>fruit set<\/span>, and they are generally in season from late winter or early spring to early summer. Fruit don\u2019t fall when ripe and should be hand-picked with a slight stem remaining when soft to the touch and skin is slightly dull and wrinkled. They are non-<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3184 classtoolTips3184'>climacteric<\/span> and if picked too early will be gummy, astringent and unpalatable. Over-ripe fruit that fall will likely be damaged. Well-managed mature trees can produce more than 100kg fruit, and ripe fruits will last about 3 weeks in a refrigerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fruit Uses<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Fruit are mainly consumed fresh (or chilled) when perfectly ripe by cutting in half and then spooning out the flesh which is about 50-60% of the whole fruit. The skin, rind and seeds should not be eaten. Fresh pulp can also be processed in various ways eg juices and jellies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pests and Diseases<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Medfly can be a problem despite the tough <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3347 classtoolTips3347'>pericarp<\/span>, fungal infections, stem-end decay, leaf spots and birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comments<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>This tree could be grown purely for its attractiveness. Seedlings are really only of value as rootstocks. One of the tropical exotics rarely seen in WA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:120px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chrysophyllum cainito Star apple, caimito Origin Southern meso-America. Initial domestication likely occurred in Panama, and it is now grown in many warm climate regions of the world. Climate Best adapted to hot and humid tropical climates up to 1000m with a definite dry season. Temperatures of 4\u00b0C and below will cause defoliation and then more [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":15,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"iawp_total_views":337,"footnotes":""},"folder":[94],"class_list":["post-1083","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1083"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3919,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1083\/revisions\/3919"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=1083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}