Chrysophyllum cainito

Star Apple is a tropical, slow-growing evergreen tree that is usually about 25 m tall and 4-8 m wide. The stem is erect, the branches hang down, and the leaves are small, dark green in colour but red/yellow underneath, hairy, and shiny. Small flowers occur in clusters. The fruits are oval shaped, purple when ripe, and smooth skinned. The non-climacteric fruit is sweet when ripe and is eaten raw or processed into preserves. Further, ripe fruit sooths inflammation in laryngitis and pneumonia and used as treatment for diabetes, angina, haemorrhage and fever. The leaves are used in the treatment of wounds and hypoglycaemia. The bark, moreover, is used in the treatment for diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhages, gonorrhoea, catarrh of the bladder. Branches of star apple tree are used as a medium in growing orchids while the wood pulp is made into high quality paper. The bark yields tannin. The wood is used for general indoor construction and used for fuel.

Chrysophyllum cainito is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m by 20 m at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone 10 and is frost tender. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Star apple grows successfully in a range of tropical or near tropical areas. Throughout Southeast Asia it thrives in the lowlands, up to 400 metres elevation, and in areas with a distinct dry season. If the dry period is most pronounced, undue loss of leaves and less juicy or even shrivelled fruit are evident, which indicates that the drought is too severe and irrigation is needed. The temperature range for growth is reported to be 12 - 35c with the optimum between 22 - 38c. Mature trees are seriously injured by temperatures below -2c and recover slowly. Young trees may be killed by even short exposure to -0.5c. The annual rainfall range for growth is reported to be 800 - 2,200mm with the optimum between 1,000 - 1,400mm. Requires a moist, well-drained soil. Prefers a deep, rich loam. Fertile, well drained and slightly acid soils are ideal for good growth, though the plant can succeed on almost all types of soil. Prefers a sunny position. Established plants are tolerant of drought. Trees take about 5 - 10 years to produce fruit from seed. Grafted plants can start to fruit in 2 - 4 years. Some trees yield heavy crops of fruit, others bear little. Yields of 70 kg or fruit per tree per year have been recorded. The fruit do not drop and must be picked. They can be stored for 3 weeks at cool temperatures. Young trees are sensitive to water stress in their first year, and growth during that time is slow. Once the tree is established, growth rate and development become more rapid. Deep mulching with straw or lawn clippings, application of fertilizer and frequent dry-season watering all seem necessary for success with this species. The trees do not drop their fruit, making it necessary to climb the tree in order to harvest the crop. There are many named varieties. Star apple flowers are hermaphrodite, and the plants are usually self-fertile.