Star Apple, Caimito

Chrysophyllum cainito

Physical Characteristics

Chrysophyllum cainito is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Central America - Belize; Caribbean - Cayman Islands, Jamaica.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed Edible Uses: Drink Milk Fruit - raw or made into preserves[ 301 ]. A sweet flavour[ 301 ]. The pleasantly acidic flesh is high in carbohydrate and is eaten fresh[ 200 ]. The fruit is about 10cm in diameter[ 296 ]. The fruit is not good unless allowed to remain on the tree until fully ripe; if picked when immature it is astringent and contains a sticky, white latex[ 303 ]. The skin needs to be removed since biting into it leaves a horrible stickiness in the mouth[ 296 ]. When opening a star apple fruit, one should not allow any of the bitter latex of the skin to contact the edible fresh[ 306 ]. The ripe fruit, preferably chilled, is cut in half and the flesh spooned out, leaving the seed cells and core. A better way of serving the fruit is to cut around the middle completely through the rind and then, holding the fruit stem-end down, twisting the top gently back and forth. As this is done, the flesh will be felt to free itself from the downward half of the rind, and the latter will pull away, taking with it the greater part of the core[ 306 ]. An emulsion of the slightly bitter seed kernels is used to make imitation milk-of-almonds or nougat and other confections[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Antiinflammatory Astringent Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge Pectoral Stimulant Tonic Vermifuge The ripe fruit is eaten to sooth inflammation in laryngitis and pneumonia[ 306 ]. It is given as a treatment for diabetes mellitus, and as a decoction is gargled to relieve angina[ 306 ]. The fruit is used in treating haemorrhage or is cooked and used for fever[ 303 ]. A decoction of the rind, or of the leaves, is taken as a pectoral[ 306 ]. The undersides of the leaves are grated and applied as a poultice to wounds[ 303 ]. A decoction of the leaves is taken orally to treat hypoglycaemia[ 303 ]. A decoction of the tannin-rich, astringent bark is drunk as a tonic and stimulant, and is taken to halt diarrhoea, dysentery and haemorrhages, and as a treatment for gonorrhoea and catarrh of the bladder[ 306 , 348 ]. The bitter, pulverized seed is taken as a tonic, diuretic and febrifuge[ 306 ]. The latex of the tree is applied on abscesses and, when dried and powdered, it is given as a potent vermifuge. It is also taken as a diuretic, febrifuge and remedy for dysentery[ 306 ].

Known Hazards

The seeds contain a cyanogenic glucoside.