Star-apple (Chrysophyllum cainito, Sp. Pl.: 192 (1753))

Family: Sapotaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 192 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chrysophyllum

Vegetable: False

Observations: a cultigen from C. America

Description

The star-apple, scientifically known as Chrysophyllum cainito, is a fruit-bearing tree belonging to the family Sapotaceae. This tropical species has origins tracing back to Central America, where it was long cultivated before spreading to other tropical and subtropical regions. Since its initial description in “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, the star-apple has captivated both botanists and fruit enthusiasts alike.

Noted for its glossy, evergreen foliage, the star-apple tree exhibits a strikingly beautiful appearance. The leaves are typically dark green on the upper side, while the underside boasts a unique golden-brown hue, a characteristic trait of many trees within the Sapotaceae family. This dual-colored foliage adds an ornamental quality to the tree, making it a popular choice for tropical gardens as well as orchards.

Aside from its visual appeal, the star-apple produces a delectable fruit renowned for its star-like pattern revealed when the fruit is cut transversely. The fruit’s exterior can range from green to purplish, depending on the variety, and the flesh inside is sweet and juicy with a flavor reminiscent of both apples and grapes. It is not only enjoyed fresh but is also used in various culinary applications, including desserts and beverages.

Chrysophyllum cainito is not just valued for its culinary uses but also for its versatility in traditional medicine. Various parts of the plant, including the fruit, leaves, and bark, have been utilized in folk remedies for treating an array of ailments, highlighting its integral role in the regions where it is cultivated.

Given its rich history and multitude of uses, the star-apple continues to be an important plant in both agricultural and cultural contexts within tropical regions around the world. Its sustained popularity underlines the ongoing significance of this remarkable tree first studied over two centuries ago.

Common Names

Deu: sternapfel
Por: abiu-roxo, caimiteiro, caimitillo, caimito, caimito-roxo, camiquiê, maçã-estrelada
Fra: caimitier, caïmitier
Spa: caimito, caimito blanco, caimito morado
Eng: star apple, star-apple, star-appple-fruit
Swe: stjärnäpple
En: Star-apple, Star apple, Kenitu, Star-appple-fruit, Tuko, Caimito, Eslo, Golden leaf tree, Nessarrjo
Zh: 金星果
Cs: Zlatolist obecný
Eo: Stelpomo
Fr: Caïmitier, Caimitier, Abiaba, Caimite, Caïnite, Pomme de lait, Pomme étoilée, Caïmite, Jaune d’œuf
De: Sternapfel
Ht: Abyaba
Is: Stjörnuepli
Id: Sawo duren
Jv: Sawo durèn
Ml: സ്റ്റാർ ആപ്പിൾ
No: Stjerneeple
Pt: Caimito, Abiu-roxo, Caimiteiro, Caimitillo, Caimito-roxo, Camiquiê, Maçã-estrelada, Cainito
Ru: Звёздное яблоко
Es: Caimito, Caimito blanco, Caimito morado, Caimito., Pipa, Sapotillo, Ablaca, Caimitoro, Cauje, Maduraverde
Su: Sawo durén
Sv: Stjärnäpple
Tl: Kaimito
Ty: ’āpara feti’a
Ta: ஸ்டார் ஆப்பிள்
Te: నక్షత్ర ఆపిల్
Th: ลูกน้ำนม
Zh-hant: 金星果
Vi: Vú sữa

Synonyms

• Chrysophyllum sericeum (Salisb.)
• Chrysophyllum cainito var. caeruleum (Jacq.)
• Chrysophyllum cainito var. martinicense (Pierre ex Duss)
• Chrysophyllum bonplandii (Klotzsch ex Miq.)
• Chrysophyllum caeruleum (Jacq.)
• Chrysophyllum cainito var. typicum (Stehlé)
• Chrysophyllum cainito var. jamaicense ((Jacq.) Bois)
• Chrysophyllum jamaicense (Jacq.)
• Chrysophyllum cainito var. pomiferum ((Tussac) Pierre)
• Chrysophyllum maliforme (L.)
• Chrysophyllum cainito var. portoricense (A.DC.)
• Cainito pomiferum (Tussac)
• Chrysophyllum ottonis (Klotzsch ex Miq.)

Distribution

• Panamá (native)
• Belize (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by Allie H (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by SINAC oscar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by SINAC oscar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by SINAC oscar (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by hugo henriot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2021 by corinne ITALIQUE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2021 by Venegas-Elizondo Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by Allie H (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by claudie GALLARD (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by EOL − ovilla82 (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 9, 2020 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by Allie H (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 30, 2019 by Rodríguez Ariel R. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by SINAC oscar (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2020 by Calderón Caldas Douglas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2019 by Rodríguez Ariel R. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by EOL − ovilla82 (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 21, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2885828)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304384-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chrysophyllum cainito L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth