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{{SPlantbox

{{SPlantbox

|genus=Pouteria

|genus=Pouteria

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The genus is characterized by lvs. more or less elongate, usually broadened upward; by the imbricate calyx, with lobes in 1 or 2 series: and by the tubular corolla, with stamens opposite the lobes, alternating with the staminodes. The fr. is a berry, 2-10-celled, the seeds exalbuminous.—Species perhaps 60, mostly in Amer. but extending to New Guinea and Austral.

The genus is characterized by lvs. more or less elongate, usually broadened upward; by the imbricate calyx, with lobes in 1 or 2 series: and by the tubular corolla, with stamens opposite the lobes, alternating with the staminodes. The fr. is a berry, 2-10-celled, the seeds exalbuminous.—Species perhaps 60, mostly in Amer. but extending to New Guinea and Austral.

In addition to the above may be mentioned the jacana, or hakana, of Porto Rico (L. multiflora, DC.), with oblong or globose frs. 1 ½ -2 in. diam., and sweet, mealy, yellow, edible pulp resembling in appearance the yolk of an egg, inclosing 1-3 seeds. Another noteworthy species is L. obovata, HBK., the "lucuma" of Peru and N. Chile, with fr. about the size and shape of a small orange, containing yellow pulp of excellent quality surrounding 1 to several seeds and inclosed in a thin, bright, dark green skin. According to W. E. Safford, specimens of this fr. usually divided into halves, and of the glossy subglobose seeds, are frequently found in prehistoric graves of the coast tribes of Peru, and facsimiles of the fr. in the form of terra-cotta vases are also dug up with Peruvian mummies. L. Palmeri, Fern., is listed in S. Calif.: shrub, to 10 ft., with reddish brown bark on young branches: lvs. dark green, oblanceolate or narrow-obovate: fls. in 2s or 3s or solitary, the corolla twice as long as calyx; stamens and staminodia inserted at top of corolla-tube: fr. over 1 in. long, yellow. Mex. L. salicifolia, HBK., has proved hardy at Santa Barbara: lvs. 5-7 in. long and 1 in. wide, lanceolate, somewhat acuminate, entire and shining: fls. yellowish green, in 2s or 3s, axillary; ovary hirsute, ovate; style about equaling the corolla. Mex. L. Sellowii,A. DC. Lvs. linear or linear-lanceolate, acute, entire or somewhat repand, shining, the young ones tomentose: fls. on solitary or twin axillary pedicels, the corolla tubular, the calyx-lobes and corolla-lobes 4: drupe oblong, size of a pigeon's egg, beaked. Brazil. R.H. 1900, pp. 33, 34.

In addition to the above may be mentioned the jacana, or hakana, of Porto Rico (L. multiflora, DC.), with oblong or globose frs. 1 ½ -2 in. diam., and sweet, mealy, yellow, edible pulp resembling in appearance the yolk of an egg, inclosing 1-3 seeds. Another noteworthy species is L. obovata, HBK., the "lucuma" of Peru and N. Chile, with fr. about the size and shape of a small orange, containing yellow pulp of excellent quality surrounding 1 to several seeds and inclosed in a thin, bright, dark green skin. According to W. E. Safford, specimens of this fr. usually divided into halves, and of the glossy subglobose seeds, are frequently found in prehistoric graves of the coast tribes of Peru, and facsimiles of the fr. in the form of terra-cotta vases are also dug up with Peruvian mummies. L. Palmeri, Fern., is listed in S. Calif.: shrub, to 10 ft., with reddish brown bark on young branches: lvs. dark green, oblanceolate or narrow-obovate: fls. in 2s or 3s or solitary, the corolla twice as long as calyx; stamens and staminodia inserted at top of corolla-tube: fr. over 1 in. long, yellow. Mex. L. salicifolia, HBK., has proved hardy at Santa Barbara: lvs. 5-7 in. long and 1 in. wide, lanceolate, somewhat acuminate, entire and shining: fls. yellowish green, in 2s or 3s, axillary; ovary hirsute, ovate; style about equaling the corolla. Mex. L. Sellowii,A. DC. Lvs. linear or linear-lanceolate, acute, entire or somewhat repand, shining, the young ones tomentose: fls. on solitary or twin axillary pedicels, the corolla tubular, the calyx-lobes and corolla-lobes 4: drupe oblong, size of a pigeon's egg, beaked. Brazil.

The most important member of the genus is without doubt L. mammosa, the mamey sapote, a common fruit in Cuba, and not infrequently seen on the Central American mainland. It can be grown in extreme south Florida, though it does not seem to thrive on shallow calcareous soils. California has so far proved too cool for it, and no trees of any size are known in the state. It is said to prefer a deep, rich soil and a rainfall of about 70 inches per annum. The fruit is commonly elliptical, and about 6 inches in length. Within the thick woody skin, somewhat rough and rusty brown on the surface, is the soft melting flesh, of a beautiful reddish salmon color, and of about the same consistency as a ripe canteloupe. The large elliptical seed can be lifted out of the fruit as easily as that of an avocado; it is hard, brown and shining, except on the ventral surface, which is whitish and somewhat rough. To one unaccustomed to tropical fruits, the flavor of the mamey sapote is at first somewhat cloying because of its utter lack of acidity; when made into a sherbet, however, as is done in Havana, it is delicious and sure to be relished at first trial. Although natives of tropical countries commonly eat the fruit while fresh, it is also made into marmalade, or used as a "filler" in making guava cheese. The Cubans prepare from it a thick jam, known as crema de mamey colorado, which is delicious. The fruits are picked when mature, and laid away in a cool place to ripen, which takes about a week. If shipped as soon as picked from the tree they can be sent to northern markets without difficulty, and are occasionally exported from Cuba and Mexico to the United States. The season of ripening is during the summer; in Costa Rica the tree is said to lose its foliage in the dry season, flowering at the same time. The seed contains a large oily kernel, which has a strong smell and a bitter taste. According to Pittier, it is used in Costa Rica, after being finely ground, to prepare an exquisite confection; the same authority states that it is sometimes used by the Indians, after being boiled, roasted and ground, to mix with cacao, imparting a bitter taste to the beverage. The foliage of the mamey sapote resembles that of the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), except in its lighter color and entire margins. Propagation is by seed, young trees coming into bearing at the age of five to seven years. Before planting it is well to remove the hard outer husk from the seed; it is then easily germinated by planting in light, sandy loam, barely covering it with soil.

The most important member of the genus is without doubt L. mammosa, the mamey sapote, a common fruit in Cuba, and not infrequently seen on the Central American mainland. It can be grown in extreme south Florida, though it does not seem to thrive on shallow calcareous soils. California has so far proved too cool for it, and no trees of any size are known in the state. It is said to prefer a deep, rich soil and a rainfall of about 70 inches per annum. The fruit is commonly elliptical, and about 6 inches in length. Within the thick woody skin, somewhat rough and rusty brown on the surface, is the soft melting flesh, of a beautiful reddish salmon color, and of about the same consistency as a ripe canteloupe. The large elliptical seed can be lifted out of the fruit as easily as that of an avocado; it is hard, brown and shining, except on the ventral surface, which is whitish and somewhat rough. To one unaccustomed to tropical fruits, the flavor of the mamey sapote is at first somewhat cloying because of its utter lack of acidity; when made into a sherbet, however, as is done in Havana, it is delicious and sure to be relished at first trial. Although natives of tropical countries commonly eat the fruit while fresh, it is also made into marmalade, or used as a "filler" in making guava cheese. The Cubans prepare from it a thick jam, known as crema de mamey colorado, which is delicious. The fruits are picked when mature, and laid away in a cool place to ripen, which takes about a week. If shipped as soon as picked from the tree they can be sent to northern markets without difficulty, and are occasionally exported from Cuba and Mexico to the United States. The season of ripening is during the summer; in Costa Rica the tree is said to lose its foliage in the dry season, flowering at the same time. The seed contains a large oily kernel, which has a strong smell and a bitter taste. According to Pittier, it is used in Costa Rica, after being finely ground, to prepare an exquisite confection; the same authority states that it is sometimes used by the Indians, after being boiled, roasted and ground, to mix with cacao, imparting a bitter taste to the beverage. The foliage of the mamey sapote resembles that of the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), except in its lighter color and entire margins. Propagation is by seed, young trees coming into bearing at the age of five to seven years. Before planting it is well to remove the hard outer husk from the seed; it is then easily germinated by planting in light, sandy loam, barely covering it with soil.

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Pouteria (native name). Sapotaceae. Trees or shrubs with small often short-peduncled fls. in clusters: corolla with 4 rounded lobes and a tube about twice as long; staminodes free, petal-like, borne at the edge of the tube; stamens borne at the base or middle of the tube, becoming free: ovary swollen at base, hairy, 2-4-celled, gradually produced into the long style: fr. a 1-4-seeded berry, hairy or glabrous, occasionally pointed.—About 30 species in Trop. Amer. P. suavis, Hemsl. Tree with rather slender flowering branches: lvs. crowded at the ends of the branches, narrow-oblong to lanceolate, about 4 in. long, coriaceous: fls. very small in fascicles borne in the axils of the fallen lvs. : fr. pear-shaped with a thin edible pericarp possessing a delicate perfume. Uruguay. Intro, into gardens abroad.

Pouteria (native name). Sapotaceae. Trees or shrubs with small often short-peduncled fls. in clusters: corolla with 4 rounded lobes and a tube about twice as long; staminodes free, petal-like, borne at the edge of the tube; stamens borne at the base or middle of the tube, becoming free: ovary swollen at base, hairy, 2-4-celled, gradually produced into the long style: fr. a 1-4-seeded berry, hairy or glabrous, occasionally pointed.—About 30 species in Trop. Amer. P. suavis, Hemsl. Tree with rather slender flowering branches: lvs. crowded at the ends of the branches, narrow-oblong to lanceolate, about 4 in. long, coriaceous: fls. very small in fascicles borne in the axils of the fallen lvs. : fr. pear-shaped with a thin edible pericarp possessing a delicate perfume. Uruguay. Intro, into gardens abroad.

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