Star apple

The star apple reaches between 8 and 20 metres in height. It has a dense, expansive crown and pale bark that oozes white latex when damaged, a trait typical of Sapotaceae plants.

The oblong or elliptical leaves are acuminate (pointed) and alternate, and are characterized by their dark green upper surface and their downy golden red underside. They are 6.5 to 12 cm long and 3.5 to 6 cm wide.

The many small white flowers, tinged with purple, are grouped along the branch and in the leaf axils.

The fruits (star apples) are large, rounded berries that grow 5 to 10 centimetres in diametre and have smooth skin that turns dark purple when ripe. The sweet white pulp inside is gelatinous and encloses 5 to 10 seeds. When cut crosswise, the locules form a star shape that is characteristic of this species.

Other species of the same genus

There are other species in this genus, including the satinleaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), which grows between 8 and 15 metres in height. Its leaves are similar to the star apple, with a dark green, shiny surface and a downy, coppery underside. The species can be differentiated by their fruit. Chrysophyllum oliviforme produces 1.5–to–3-centimetre fruits that resemble olives and turn dark purple or black when ripe (hence their scientific name).