Chrysophyllum

? Chrysophyllum
Chrysophyllum oliviforme
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Sapotaceae Genus: Chrysophyllum
Species
About 70-80 species, including: Chrysophyllum acreanum Chrysophyllum africanum Chrysophyllum albidum Chrysophyllum antilogum Chrysophyllum argenteum Chrysophyllum auratum Chrysophyllum balansae Chrysophyllum balata Chrysophyllum bangweolense Chrysophyllum beguei Chrysophyllum cainito Chrysophyllum chartaceum Chrysophyllum claessensii Chrysophyllum cuneifolium Chrysophyllum delevoyi Chrysophyllum gonocarpum Chrysophyllum gorungosanum Chrysophyllum guyanense Chrysophyllum klugii Chrysophyllum lacourtianum Chrysophyllum lanceolatum Chrysophyllum laurentii Chrysophyllum longepedicellatum Chrysophyllum lungi Chrysophyllum marginatum Chrysophyllum oliviforme Chrysophyllum oppositum Chrysophyllum perpulchrum Chrysophyllum pomiferum Chrysophyllum pruniferum Chrysophyllum pruniforme Chrysophyllum ramiflorum Chrysophyllum rwandense Chrysophyllum sanguinolentum Chrysophyllum sarlinii Chrysophyllum sericeum Chrysophyllum viridifolium Chrysophyllum welwitschii

Chrysophyllum is a genus of about 70-80 species of tropical trees, growing rapidly to 10-20 m or more in height. The genus is native to tropical regions throughout the world, with the greatest number of species in northern South America. One species, C. oliviforme, extends north to southern Florida.

The leaves are oval, 3-15 cm long, green above, densely golden pubescent below, from which the genus is named. The flowers are small (3-8 mm), purplish white and have a sweet fragrant smell; they are clustered several together, and are hermaphroditic (self fertile). The fruit is edible; round, usually purple skinned (sometimes greenish-white), often green around the calyx, with a star pattern in the pulp; the flattened seeds are light brown and hard. The fruit skin is not edible.