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Pouteria sapota

Mamey sapote

Pouteria sapota, commonly known as sapodilla or chikoo, is a versatile tropical evergreen tree prized for its sweet, malty fruit. Beyond its delicious edible flesh, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value, with various parts utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin inflammations.

  • Scientific name: Pouteria sapota
  • Family: Sapotaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Tropical

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, specifically being a member of the family Sapotaceae. Within this family, its taxonomic identity is defined by 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 sapota, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In German, it is referred to as Große Sapote, while in Nahuatl, it carries the name Tezontzapocuahuitl. In the Netherlands, it is commonly called mamey sapota, and in both Russian and Belarusian, it is known as Сапота.
Language Common Name Source
de Große Sapote Wikidata
nah Tezontzapocuahuitl Wikidata
nl mamey sapota Wikidata
ru Сапота Wikidata
be Сапота Wikidata
zh 馬米果 Wikidata
zh-tw 馬米果 Wikidata
ko 마메이 Wikidata
nb Storsapote Wikidata
ja マメイサポテ Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across different regions of Asia and North America. In the Indo-China region, it can be found specifically within Cambodia. The species also has a significant presence in Mexico, where it is documented in the central part of the country. Furthermore, its range extends to the northeast and the gulf regions of Mexico. Finally, the plant is also distributed throughout the northwest area of Mexico.

Region Area Source
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Mexico Mexico Central WCVP
Mexico Mexico Northeast WCVP
Mexico Mexico Gulf WCVP
Mexico Mexico Northwest WCVP
Mexico Mexico Southwest WCVP
Mexico Mexico Southeast WCVP
Central America Belize WCVP
Central America Costa Rica WCVP
Central America El Salvador WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Pouteria sapota, commonly known as the sapodilla, utilizes its various anatomical structures for both survival and medicinal potential. The leaf is a prominent feature, typically characterized by an elliptical shape and a leathery texture, serving as the primary site for photosynthesis and housing bioactive compounds used in traditional remedies. Additionally, the seeds found within the fruit are significant components of the plant, often containing specific chemical constituents that have been studied for their biological activities. Together, these parts contribute to the overall medicinal profile of the species.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
seeds 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pouteria sapota has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pouteria sapota has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆