Scientific Name: Manilkara zapota (L.) P.Royen

Synonyms: Achradelpha mammosa (L.) O.F.Cook,  Achras breviloba (Gilly) Lundell

Unique ID: 91

Systematic Position

Class: Dicotyledonae

Sub Class:Gamopetalae                      

Series: Heteromerae

Order: Ebenales

Family: Sapotaceae

Common Names

English – Sapota

Malayalam – ചിക്കു

Tamil –  Chappotta

Hindi – Chikoo

Description: A small, evergreen tree having a crown of branches with milky latex in young parts. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, smooth shining, dark green above and pale beneath arranged almost in whorl manner at the apex of branches. Flowers pale yellow, clustered at the apex of branches. Fruit a berry, globose, rusty and sweet scented when ripe. Flowering: August – October. Fruit ripening : January onwards 

Habitat:   Plains to Mid Altitude, Cultivated

Distribution: Tropical countries

Uses:  Ripe fruits are eaten fresh ; Folk medicine, Siddha