Mammey-Apple, Mammy-Apple, Mamee, and additional similar spellings

Mammea americana L.

maa-MAY-ah ah-mer-ah-CANE-ah

Clusiaceae

(Note:  This is not the same as the Mamey Sapote---see Pouteria sapota)

Explanation of name:    The generic name comes from a local name for the tree.  The specific epithet is self-explanatory.

Natural range:   West Indies and South America, also Mesoamerica?

Recognition:   Potentially a large tree with yellowish latex.  Flowers fragrant, round, pale with orange stamens and/or pistils.  Leaves opposite, elliptic, with closely spaced veins (true of many Clusiaceae).  Fruit the size of a tennis ball to much larger, with orange pulp

Landscape uses:  This potentially very large tree has a delicious but variably toxic sweet fruit orange on the inside.  There are reports of illness from the fruit, one indicating severe toxicity. Cold-sensitive, but has been grown successfully as far north as Stuart, Florida.  The seeds are especially toxic, and are not the only dangerous portions.  There are concerns with animals ingesting these.  The plant has insecticidal properties.  Reportedly can take 15 years to fruit (ROL).  Related to the Mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana and other Garcinias.

Internet sources:  http://books.google.com/books?id=J67NAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA381&dq=mammee&cd=2#v=onepage&q=mammee&f=false

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mamey.html

http://chestofbooks.com/gardening-horticulture/fruit/Tropical-And-Subtropical-Fruits/The-Mamey-Mammea-Americana-L.html