Chrysophyllum

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 192. 1753.

,

Gen. Pl. 5, 88. 1754 ,.

Common names: Cainito
Etymology: Greek chrysos, gold, and phyllon, leaf
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 8. Treatment on page 245. Mentioned on page 233.

Trees. Stems unarmed, densely hairy to glabrate. Leaves persistent, alternate; stipules absent; petiole present; blade: base cuneate to rounded, apex acute to acuminate [rounded or emarginate], surfaces densely hairy [glabrous] abaxially, usually glabrous adaxially. Inflorescences fascicles or solitary flowers. Flowers: sepals 4–5[–6] in 1 whorl, imbricate, abaxially densely hairy; petals (4–)5(–6)[–8], greenish white or greenish yellow, sericeous adaxially, lobes undivided, equaling or shorter than [exceeding] corolla tube; stamens 4–5[–8], distinct; staminodes absent [present]; pistil 3–5(–6)[–12]-carpellate; ovary 3–6[–12]-locular, densely hairy; placentation axile. Berries purple to black [yellow, orange, red, brown, green], ellipsoid to ovoid, glabrous [hairy]. Seeds 1[–5], brown, laterally compressed; hilum narrowly ovate to obovate; embryo vertical; endosperm present. x = [12, 13, 14,] 26.

Distribution

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar), Australia, nearly worldwide in tropics and subtropics.

Discussion

Species ca. 70 (1 in the flora).

Most species of Chrysophyllum are located in the Neotropics. Species with edible fruits are numerous; C. africanum A. de Candolle, the “odara pear” or “African star apple,” is sold commercially. Chrysophyllum cainito Linnaeus, the star-apple, is cultivated for its foliage and fruit in south Florida. The star-apple is distinguished by having larger (3 cm in diameter), several-seeded fruits. Other species have valuable woods that are used in various ways.

Selected References

None.

... more about "Chrysophyllum"
Richard P. Wunderlin +  and R. David Whetstone +
Linnaeus +
Cainito +
Fla. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, South America +, Asia +, Africa +, Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar) +, Australia +  and nearly worldwide in tropics and subtropics. +
Greek chrysos, gold, and phyllon, leaf +
Sp. Pl. +  and Gen. Pl. +
Chrysophyllum +
Sapotaceae +