Sapota achras Miller
Small or large tree. Leaves crowded at the end of branches, ovate-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 2.5-3.5 x 7-12.0 cm, glabrous, subcoriaceous, midrib prominent. Flowers white, 1-1.5 cm across, long pedicelled. Sepals unequal, 3 larger than the others. Petals 6. Stamens 6, opposite the petals; staminodes as many as the petals, petaloid. Fruit usually a globose fleshy berry, 5-10 cm in diameter„ epicarp thin, rough rusty brown. Seeds 5-12, shining black, obovate, c. 2.0 cm long.
Fl. Per.: Throughout the year.
Lectotype: Plumier’s illustration of Sapota fructo ovato, Bibliotheque Centrale vol. 6 pl. 102. (P) (Moore & Stearn, l.c.).
Distribution: A native of W. Indies and tropical America.
In Pakistan it is cultivated for its edible fruit, sapodilla plum, which when ripe is yellowish-brown, soft and sweet. The coagulated resinous latex is derived from the bark and is used commercially for making chewing gum.