- Other common names:
sapote, mamey colorado
- Scientific name: Pouteria sapota (Jacq.) H.E. Moore & Stearn
- Synonyms: Calocarpum sapota (Jacq.) Merr., Calocarpum mammosum (L.) Pierre
- Family: Sapotaceae
- Relatives in same family: sapodilla, satin leaf, caimito, canistel, abiu, green sapote.
- Origin: The mamey is native to the West Indies and northern South America,in southern Mexico and Central America.
- Distribution: Mamey sapotes have been grown or cultivated in Central America, Mexico,
northern South America, and the West Indies for centuries. The first
recorded introduction into southern Florida was during the mid-1880s.
- Importance: The mamey sapote is an
important fruit in Florida (US), Mexico, Central America, and in the West
Indies--including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.
In the state of Florida, Cuban Americans and Central Americans have helped to
establish a small but viable industry. Except for the Americas, this very
attractive and excellent fruit is not well-known, probably because its
short-lived seeds may have discouraged intercontinental transport in colonial
times.
Recently, there is increasing interest in this fruit in other countries
(e.g., Australia, Israel, Philippines, Vietnam, Spain, Venezuela).
Click for Mamey Graphic
Mamey - Sapote Link
Mamey Properties Favored by
The Aztec's
Used to heal exposed ulcers also used for curling hair.
Aztec Method of Use
- For Exposed Ulcers: Roast in fire
the Mamey seed then crush or mash until it is powder then apply on affected
area.
- To Curl the Hair: Pick at
the Mamey seed until the oil it contains comes out, then apply oil to scalp or
hair area each morning until you get the desired effect.
