sapote [key], name for several Central American trees and their fruits. Sapotes, sweet and pulpy, are commonly seen in tropical markets and are usually eaten fresh, although some are also used in preserves, e.g., the green sapote (Ponteria viride or Calocarpum viride) and P. sapota or C. sapota, also called marmalade-plum. These and the yellow sapote (P. salicifolia or Lucuma salicifolia) are of the sapodilla family. The white sapote (Casimiroa edulis), of the rue family, has been introduced throughout the Caribbean area and is sometimes grown in S California. The various sapotes are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida. Ponteria (including Calocarpum and Lucuma) is classified in the order Ebenales, family Sapotaceae, Casimiroa in the order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Plants
