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TreesFruit Edible

Mammea americana

mamey

Large evergreen tree, native to tropical areas, to 20m in height, heavily branched with a very dense, oval crown of leathery, glossy dark green leaves. Fragrant, white flowers with 4-6 petals, in late spring or early summer, are followed by edible rounded brown or grey fruit with thick flesh, the flavour similar to an apricot. Good for wildlife

Other common names
mammee
mammee apple
see moremartin
San Domingo apricot
Santa Domingo apricot
South American apricot
wild apricot tree

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer White Green Grey Silver Brown
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Clusiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Suited to tropical climates only where the fruit and timber are widely used. Prefers a deep, rich, well-drained neutral to acid sandy loam in sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, greenwood cuttings with bottom heat, or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Sub-tropical
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to a range of tropical insects such as borers

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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