Mammea americana – Native Plant Search

Native Range

A native plant refers to a species of plant that has naturally evolved and grown in a particular geographic area without any human intervention or introduction. These plants have adapted to the local climate, soil, and ecological conditions over an extended period of time, often thousands of years. Because of this co-evolution with their specific environment, native plants have developed characteristics that make them well-suited to the local ecosystem and provide essential resources for local wildlife.

Native plants play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of an area. They provide food and habitat for native wildlife, support pollinators like bees and butterflies, and contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem. Additionally, native plants often require fewer resources like water and fertilizers compared to non-native or exotic plants that may not be well-suited to the local environment.

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Native Continent

Southern America

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad, United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, U.S., Virgin Islands, U.S., Virgin Islands, U.S., St. Vincent and Grenadines, Virgin Islands (British), Tortola,

Natural Habitat

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A firm, thick flesh with an aromatic flavour similar to apricots. A delicious fruit, it is used as a dessert and can also be made into jams, sauces, pies, tarts etc. The flesh immediately surrounding the 2 - 4 seeds in the fruit is bitter. The fruit is rich in pectin and therefore makes good preserves, these taste remarkably like apricot preserves. The immature green fruit is high in pectin and can be added to pectin-low fruits when making jellies, jams etc. The light brown fruit is a globose to irregular berry, 10 - 20cm in diameter. The fruits can be as large as a child's head and weigh up to 2 kilos. A liqueur is distilled from the fragrant flowers. An alcoholic drink is fermented from the sap of the tree.