Sun sapote facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sun sapote |
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| Trunk of a large Licania platypus tree | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Licania
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| Species: |
platypus
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| Synonyms | |
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Licania platypus, also known as sun sapote, sansapote, sonzapote, sunzapote, sungano, zapote cabelludo, sapote, sangre, zapote amarillo, zapote borracho, zapote cabello, zapote de mico, zapote de mono, mesonsapote, mezonzapote, cabeza de mico, caca de nino, sonza, sunza, zunza, chaute jolobob, urraco, chupa, and monkey apple, is a flowering tree in the family Chrysobalanaceae.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
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| Dietary fiber | 0.9-2.5 g |
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0.26-0.49 g
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Protein
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0.230-0.291 g
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| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
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| Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
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154%
157-273 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) |
-14%
0.005-0.16 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
-2%
0.013-0.027 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
-8%
1.466-1.530 mg |
| Vitamin C |
-32%
11.0-35.6 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
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| Calcium |
7%
10.5-33.2 mg |
| Iron |
-13%
0.52-1.70 mg |
| Phosphorus |
20%
24.5-29.1 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 64.6-67.4 g |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. | |
Contents
Distribution
Licania platypus is native to southern Mexico south to northern Colombia and grows wild in dense forests up to 2000 feet (600 meters) in elevation. It has been introduced to India, the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, Florida, and Hawaii.
Description
The tree grows erect, sometimes reaching 100–160 feet (30–50 meters) in height. It has a thick, rounded crown and is heavily foliaged. The bark is dark purplish to brown in color and is dotted with small white to reddish-white lenticels. The trunk is sometimes buttressed. The leaves are deciduous and alternate, sometimes spiraled, and elliptic to lanceolate in shape. It is pointed at both ends and measures 4-12 inches (10-30 centimeters) in length and 1.25-3.5 inches (3-9 centimeters) in width, and has a thick midrib. New foliage is bronze or reddish-purple in color and is very showy. The flowers, which are abundant and fragrant and are in broad terminal and branched panicles which measure 4-14 inches (10-35 centimeters) in length, are small and hairy and have recurved petals with numerous protruding stamens. Only 1-3 fruits form from each particle. The fruit is edible and is obovoid to pyriform in shape and measures 5-8 inches (13-20 centimeters) in length and 4–5.5 inches (10-14 centimeters) in width. It has a rather thin, sometimes warty rind which is dark brown to reddish in color and dotted with white lenticels. The flesh is orange-yellow to yellow in color, somewhat pumpkin-scented, soft, fibrous, and dry or juicy, and has a mildly sweet flavor somewhat similar to sapodilla. It normally contains 1 seed which is ovate to oblong and flattened in shape and measures 2.375-4 inches (6-10 centimeters) in length. It blooms from July to September and fruits from August to December the following year. Fruiting begins when the tree is about 10 years of age. It is hardy to USDA zone 11 and does not tolerate frost or temperatures below 4.5 C (40 F).
Drought tolerance
Licania platypus is surprisingly drought tolerant compared to that of many other species native to central Panama. Experiments with 15-month-old seedlings showed slight wilting corresponding to leaf water potentials and relative water contents of -2.7 MPa and 0.85, and plants did not die until these values fell to -7.5 MPa and 0.14.
Uses
The tree is planted as an ornamental and shade tree throughout Central America. The fruits, although held in low esteem, are eaten when no better fruits are available and are sometimes sold in local markets. They are eaten by tapirs and peccaries when fallen on the ground. The wood of the tree is fine-grained, heavy, and strong, although not durable in contact with the ground. It is sometimes used in furniture making and cabinetwork, although not often as the tree is seldom felled.
See also
In Spanish: Licania platypus para niños
