Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Lucuma obovata H.B.&K.

Frost tender evergreen tree with entire, leathery leaves, to 10cm long, and 1, 2 or 3 white flowers produced in the leaf axils, followed by roundish, dark green fruit, the size of a small orange.  [RHSD].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Don describes the fruit of Lucuma obovatum as ‘green, glabrous, yellow and clammy inside.’  The white, compact wood is of some economic importance.  Lucuma obovata was introduced to Britain in 1822.  [JD]. 

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1843 and 1845 catalogues.  Possibly introduced to assess its fruit or timber for economic value under Camden conditions.

Notes

Pouteria sapota (Jacq.) H.E.Moore & Stearn is grown in Central America for its large, carbohydrate-rich fruit. P. campechiana H.B. et Kunth., has smaller, sweeter fruit of mealy texture.  [RHSD]. 

Published Mar 06, 2009 - 03:16 PM | Last updated Jul 31, 2010 - 03:22 PM

Family Sapotaceae
Category
Region of origin

Tropics

Synonyms
  • Pouteria lucuma Kuntze
  • Achras lucuma Ruiz et Pav.
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Lucuma obovata - Chilean Lucuma 

Confidence level high