White sapote

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• White sapote
• mexican-apple
• white-sapote
• casimiroa
• white sapote

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fagara bombacifolia
• Casimiroa sapota f. salvadorensis
• Zanthoxylum bombacifolium
• Zanthoxylum araliaceum
• Casimiroa sapota f. ovandoensis
• Casimiroa edulis f. microcarpa
• Casimiroa sapota
• Casimiroa sapota f. comitana
• Casimiroa sapota f. costarricensis
• Casimiroa sapota f. glabrata
• Casimiroa sapota f. jaliscana
• Casimiroa sapota f. macrocarpa
• Casimiroa sapota var. villosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it falls under the family Rutaceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Casimiroa, which includes the species Casimiroa edulis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across both Asian and North American regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is specifically documented in Bangladesh. In Mexico, the species can be found spanning multiple distinct territories. Specifically, it is distributed throughout Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, and the Mexico Gulf regions. Furthermore, the plant extends its reach into the Mexico Northwest area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Casimiroa edulis is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of altitudinal gradients within its native habitats. This species exhibits significant environmental plasticity, occupying an elevational range that begins as low as 200 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 2560 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution allows the plant to inhabit various ecological niches, ranging from lower subtropical zones to higher montane environments, where it must adapt to varying temperature regimes and moisture availability dictated by the changing altitude.

Elevational range max:

2560 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Casimiroa edulis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence in the ecosystem over many years rather than completing a single reproductive cycle. Throughout its lifespan, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness trait, meaning it retains its foliage year-round, providing a consistent canopy that supports its long-term developmental processes. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen nature enables the plant to establish a robust biological presence, facilitating continuous growth and periodic reproductive stages across multiple seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Casimiroa edulis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 16 m. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic organism. Unlike climbing plants or vines, it is a self-supporting structure and does not exhibit liana or epiphyte tendencies, maintaining a strictly terrestrial life habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

16 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casimiria edulis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco, typically functioning most efficiently in environments with moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Casimiria eduulis is characterized by the production of substantial seeds that play a critical role in its life cycle and dispersal mechanisms. The morphological variability of the seeds is reflected in their mass, which exhibits a specific range of measurements. On average, the seed mass is 2.722 g, indicating a relatively heavy seed profile. Within the observed population, individual seed masses fluctuate, reaching a maximum value of 3.124 g and a minimum value of 2.32 g. This range of seed weight suggests a degree of biological variation that may influence germination success and the competitive establishment of new seedlings in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

3.124 g

Seed mass mean:

2.722 g

Seed mass min:

2.32 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Casimiroa edulis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Casimiroa edulis has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Zapotin, 2',5,6-trimethoxyflavone, 5,6-Dimethoxyflavone, 7-ALPHA-OBACUNOL, Ash.

Zapotin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anticancer research

2',5,6-trimethoxyflavone

1. Anticancer research

5,6-Dimethoxyflavone

1. Dr. Duke

7-ALPHA-OBACUNOL

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Bergapten

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CASIMIROINE

1. Dr. Duke

Casimiroedine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Casimiroa edulis has 290 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Acidulant, Adrenostimulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenostimulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Casimiroa edulis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anxiety.

Anxiety

1. CNS drugs