Pouteria ramiflora

Pouteria ramiflora, commonly known as the White Sapote or simply Sapote, is a tropical fruit-bearing tree prized for its creamy, sweet flesh. Beyond its culinary appeal, this species holds significant ethnobotanical value, offering various medicinal properties used in traditional practices to support wellness and promote overall holistic health.

  • Scientific name: Pouteria ramiflora
  • Family: Sapotaceae
  • Native range: Southern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pouteria ramiflora, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ericales. Finally, it is a member of the family Sapotaecae and falls under the genus Pouteria.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ericales WCVP
Family Sapotaceae WCVP
Genus Pouteria WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Pouteria ramiflora, is recognized by various regional names across different linguistic groups. In English, it is frequently referred to as the ramiflora, while in Spanish, it is commonly called mamey de monte. Within the local contexts of Southeast Asia, it is known as kiam chin in Malay and as kiam chin in Thai.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in South America. In Western South America, its presence is specifically noted within Bolivia. The species is widely spread throughout Brazil, covering a vast array of diverse territories. Its range includes the North, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the country. Additionally, it can be found inhabiting the West-Central area of Brazil.

Region Area Source
Western South America Bolivia WCVP
Brazil Brazil West-Central WCVP
Brazil Brazil Northeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil Southeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil North WCVP
Brazil Brazil South WCVP
Southern South America Paraguay WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Pouteria ramiflora, utilizes its leaves as a primary component for various traditional medicinal applications. These leaves are typically characterized by their distinct shape and texture, serving as the specific part of the plant harvested to prepare decoctions or infusions used to treat various ailments. Through the chemical compounds stored within the leaf tissue, the plant provides bioactive properties that are central to its therapeutic use in folk medicine.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Pouteria ramiflora has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gallic acid, epi-friedelanol, flavonoids, friedelin, myricetin.

Total chemicals
7
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
gallic acid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
epi-friedelanol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
friedelin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
myricetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
superoxide dismutase 1 ★☆☆☆☆
taraxerol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pouteria ramiflora has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimutagenic, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antimutagenic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pouteria ramiflora has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, cancer, diarrhea, dysentery, fever.

Total uses
12
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diarrhea 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dysentery 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hepatocellular carcinoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hyperglycemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hyperlipidemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
obesity 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative damage 1 ★☆☆☆☆