====== Star apple ====== 
 ===== Botanical Information ===== 
^Botanical Information^^
^Order | Ericales| 
^Family | Sapotaceae| 
^Genus | Chrysophyllum| 
^Common Name | Star apple| 
^Species | C. cainito| 
 ===== Maturity days ===== 
  * 
 ===== Planting Months ===== 
^Planting months^^^^^^^^^^^^
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| X         | X       | X         | X         | X         | X         | X         | X         | X         | X         | X         | X       | 
 ===== Permaculture uses ===== 
^Permaculture uses^^^
| Usage 1| Usage 2 | Usage 3 | 
| | Food_Forest| Fruit| 
 ===== Growing condition comments ===== 
^Growing Condition ^Comment^
|Drought Tolerant | No| 
| Humidity tolerant | Yes| 
| Planting area | Ground| 
|Sunlight | Full_sun| 
 ===== Photos ===== 
^ Photos ^^^
| {{ :wiki:StarApple1.JPG?200|}}| {{ :wiki:StarApple2.JPG?200|}}| {{ :wiki:StarApple3.JPG?200|}}| 
 ===== Short comments ===== 
Tropical tree, grows in Townsville.
 ===== General comments ===== 
It grows rapidly and reaches 20 m in height. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple oval, entire, 5–15 cm long; the underside shines with a golden color when seen from a distance. The tiny flowers are purplish white and have a sweet fragrant smell. The tree is also hermaphroditic (self-fertile). It produces a strong odor.  The fruit is globose and typically measures from 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

When ripe, it usually has purple skin with a faint green area appearing around the calyx. A radiating star pattern is visible in the pulp. Greenish-white and yellow-fruited cultivars are sometimes available. The skin is rich in latex, and both it and the rind are not edible. The flattened seeds are light brown and hard. It is a seasonal fruit bearing tree.  The fruits are used as a fresh dessert fruit; it is sweet and often served chilled. 

Infusions of the leaves have been used against diabetes and articular rheumatism. The fruit has antioxidant properties. The bark is considered a tonic and stimulant, and a bark decoction is used as an antitussive. The fruit also exists in three colors, dark purple, greenish brown and yellow. The purple fruit has a denser skin and texture while the greenish brown fruit has a thin skin and a more liquid pulp; the yellow variety is less common and difficult to find.  
 ===== Tags ===== 
{{tag>Ericales Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum Star apple Perennial  Food_Forest Fruit Full_sun Ground }}