Star apple, Chrysophyllum cainito, is a native to Central equatorial America and West Indies. A medium to large sized tree from 8-25 meters high. A close relative of the Abiu, pouteria caimito, is a subtropical, impressively ornamental fruit tree. It has large dark-green color and shiny leaves on the surface and a vibrant golden color on the undersurface. The fruit is spherical, baseball sized and exists in two colors, one is dark purple and the other greenish brown.

Star Apple Fruit

The green fruit features a thin skin and a more liquid pulp where the purple one has thicker skin. The fruits exhibit a pleasant central star pattern when sliced open. The semi-translucent pulp is delicate, sweet and succulent. It has a terrific caramel vanilla flavor. It is pleasant-tasting as a fresh fruit and best if dished chilled.

It bears fruit in middle to late winter. Since any fruit picked ahead of time will not ripe off the tree and will contain unpleasant latex, it should simply be picked when fully colored (purple fruit) or when softening (green fruit). The tree requires light and regular feeding. Cut back only to form the suitable shape when young and to get rid of unhealthy limbs.

The tree does well in a broad array of soils provided drainage is good. It favors warm, humid areas and it is intolerant of low temperatures, frosts and wind. Propagation is by either seeds, which take 5-10 years to yield fruit or grafting or air layering (advisable) in which event will produce fruit in approximately four years from planting.

Star Apple Propagation Methods

Plant propagation is usually by seed, which should be sown in light sandy loam. However, since there is much variation among seedlings, grafting or layering, are preferable.

star apple, Chrysophyllum cainito

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