Milk Fruit Plant

Description: MIlk Fruit is a tropical fruit tree from the family same as that of Sapota/Chikoo Fruit i.e, Sapotaceae. Now it is easily growing in throughout the tropical climate, including Southeast Asia. It grows rapidly and reaches up to 20 meters in height. The fruit has numerous common names like Caimito, Tar apple, star apple, purple star apple, golden leaf tree, abiaba, pomme de lait, estrella, milk fruit and aguay. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple oval, the underside shines with a golden color. The tiny flowers are purplish white and have a sweet fragrant smell. The tree is a hermaphroditic (self-fertile).

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. 

The fruits are used as a fresh dessert fruit; it is sweet and often served chilled. 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. This is Purple color fruit. The purple fruit has a denser skin and texture and a more liquid pulp. 

TEMPERATURE - Between 15-35 Degree Celsius, same as that of Sapota.

MAXIMUM HEIGHT - It can reach up to 20-25 meters.

FRUITING TIME - It starts fruiting after 4-6 yrs after planting.

Fertilizer - Organic Fertilizer once in 3 months up to 2 years.