mamey sapote

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• mamey
• mammee sapote
• marmalade-plum
• marmalade-tree
• naseberry
• naseberry / mamey sapote / mamey sapota

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calocarpum mammosum var. bonplandii
• Sideroxylon sapota
• Calospermum mammosum var. candollei
• Calospermum mammosum var. ovoidea
• Calospermum parvum
• Calocarpum huastecanum
• Sapota mammosa
• Bassia jussaei
• Lucuma bonplandii
• Calocarpum sapota
• Calocarpum mammosum var. candollei
• Calocarpum mammosum var. ovoideum
• Calospermum mammosum var. bonplandii

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. 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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pouteria sapota is characterized by its distribution across a diverse altitudinal gradient, typically thriving in low to mid-elevation tropical environments. It can be found at sea level, with a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL, and extends upward to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. On average, the species occupies a middle ground within this range, with a mean elevation of 500 m AMSL. This wide elevational breadth suggests an ability to adapt to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature fluctuations found within tropical forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pouteria sapota is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, typically manifesting as a robust woody structure. This plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. In terms of its biological classification regarding growth forms, it is consistently identified as a phanerophyte, reflecting its long-lived, woody habit.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pouteria sapota is characterized by a large, woody growth form, typically developing into a tree that can reach an average height of approximately 25 meters. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment without functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte. While it possesses a robust, self-supporting structure, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as a liana or vine, maintaining a solid and stable vegetative habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pouteria sapota is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic strategy involves the initial carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, which is typical for many woody tropical species. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pouteria sapota is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits, a trait that facilitates its specific dispersal strategy. The plant employs a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to transport its seeds. These seeds are relatively substantial in size, exhibiting a consistent seed volume of 23,000 mm³. In terms of weight, the seed mass varies, with a minimum recorded at 13.04 g and a maximum of 22.5 g, resulting in an average seed mass of 17.77 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

22.5 g

Seed mass mean:

17.77 g

Seed mass min:

13.04 g

Seed volume max:

23000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pouteria sapota has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of diabetes

Seed

1. Preventive veterinary medicine

Activities

Pouteria sapota has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of diabetes

Conditions

Pouteria sapota has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of diabetes

Preparations

Pouteria sapota has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous leaf extract, seeds.

Aqueous leaf extract

1. Journal of diabetes

Seeds

1. Preventive veterinary medicine