Species Overview

Native to: Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies

Sapodilla is widely cultivated for its fruit in tropical and subtropical climates across the globe and is an important crop tree in Southeast Asia. It was introduced as an agricultural crop in Florida in 1883 but is particularly well adapted to the rocky, highly calcareous, well-drained soils of south Florida and escaped cultivation in the region. 

Species Characteristics

Family: Sapotaceae

Habit: Evergreen tree to about 20 m (66 ft) high with stout trunk. Branchlets brownish-hairy.

Leaves: Alternate and often crowded at end of branchlets; young leaves are downy and brownish beneath.

Flowers: White on long stalks from leaf axils, tubular; tube up to 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 6-lobed.

Fruit: Brown with rough skin, up to 8 cm (3 in) across; brownish, mealy pulp; containing hard black seeds.

Distribution in Florida: South FL, reported from 6 counties (Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, and Lee)

Impacts

A prolific invader of south Florida hammocks, it is spread when mammals such as raccoons and opossums eat the fruits.  Large trees shade other plants out of the understory and seedlings grow in dense patches inhibiting the establishment of native plants. 

Do not plant.

Hand pull seedlings.

Mechanical methods may be limited by the sensitivity of habitats invaded.

There are some scales, rusts, and insect pests known to damage this tree. None have been utilized as classical biological control.

Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4. Larger trees may require repeat applications.