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