Scientific name: Manilkara zapota

POWO Status: Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 56.76″ N, 64° 49′ 43.01″ W

Medicinal Uses

Manilkara zapota (Sapodilla) offers diverse medicinal uses, with traditional remedies and modern research highlighting its potential for treating diarrhea, coughs, fever, and infections, while also showing promise for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic (blood sugar/cholesterol), and wound-healing effects, supported by compounds like tannins, flavonoids, and phenols found in its leaves, bark, and fruit. 

Key Medicinal Applications & Properties:

• Digestive Health: Used for diarrhea, dysentery, strengthening intestines, and reducing nausea.
• Antimicrobial: Extracts show antibacterial and antifungal activity, potentially fighting infections and food spoilage.
• Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic: Helps reduce inflammation and pain, with bark and leaf extracts showing effectiveness in studies.
• Antioxidant: Rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, it fights free radicals and oxidative stress.
• Antidiabetic & Hypocholesterolemic: Fruit and leaf extracts can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
• Wound Healing: Topical applications of extracts can speed up skin wound recovery.
• Anticancer: Preliminary studies suggest potential against certain cancer cell lines.
• Other Uses: Treats coughs, colds, fever, neuralgic pain, and helps with urinary issues and anemia. 

Parts Used & Phytochemicals:

• Leaves: High in tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, showing strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
• Fruit (Pulp & Peel): Contains beneficial compounds, helps with digestion, blood sugar, and provides vitamins.
• Bark: Decoctions used for diarrhea and coughs; contains tannins and other bioactive compounds.
• Seeds: Used for oil and detoxification. 

Note: While promising, many findings are from preclinical (animal/lab) studies; more human trials are needed to fully establish efficacy and safe dosages for many applications.

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Mesple (Manilkara zapota)

1. Leaf Behavior
Manilkara zapota is evergreen, with simple, glossy, dark green leaves that are elliptical to oblong in shape.

• Leaf drop is minimal and gradual, occurring individually throughout the year.
• New leaf flushes are subtle, usually appearing in light green clusters at branch tips.

Observation Tips:

• Watch for young leaf emergence, often tied loosely to moisture availability.
• Leaves are tough and leathery, remaining on the tree for extended periods.

2. Flowering
Flowers are small, white to pale cream, and bell-shaped, with a light sweet fragrance.

• They emerge individually or in small clusters in leaf axils.
• Flowering can occur sporadically throughout the year, though spring and early summer (March–June) tend to show more activity.

Observation Tips:

• Monitor leaf axils for buds—flowers are small and easily missed.
• Track bloom frequency and link it with fruiting success.

3. Fruiting
The fruit is round to oval, with a rough brown skin and sweet, grainy brown pulp containing black, glossy seeds.

• Fruits take 4–8 months to mature after pollination.
• Fruiting is often staggered and non-seasonal, though March–August may see heavier loads, especially following rainfall.

Observation Tips:

• Track fruit size and color change—ripe fruits yield slightly to pressure.
• Record natural fruit drop and wildlife interaction, especially birds, bats, or rodents.
• Note that immature fruit contains latex and should not be consumed.

4. Growth Habit
A medium to large evergreen tree, reaching 30–60 feet in height.

• Bark is gray and furrowed, exuding milky latex (chicle) when cut.
• Tree prefers well-drained soils and full to partial sun, with slow to moderate growth.

5. Seasonal Pattern (St. Croix)

• Jan–Mar: Steady canopy, occasional flowering
• Mar–Jun: Flowering and early fruit set
• Jul–Sep: Fruit development
• Oct–Dec: Ripening and harvest
• Year-round: Some flowering and fruiting may occur depending on moisture and maturity