Sapota (ചിക്കു)
| Scientific Name: | Manilkara zapota (L.) P.Royen | |
| Synonyms: | Achradelpha mammosa (L.) O.F.Cook , Achras breviloba (Gilly) Lundell | |
| Systematic Position | ||
| Class: | Dicotylodonae | |
| 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