Botanical Name : Sideroxylon foetidissimum
Family: Sapotaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ericales
Genus: Sideroxylon
Species: S. foetidissimum
Synonyms:
*Mastichodendron foetidissimum (Jacq.) H.J.Lam
*Sideroxylon mastichodendron Jacq.
Common Names: False mastic or Yellow mastic
Habitat : False mastic is native to Florida in the United States, the Caribbean, and northern Central America. The trees are also often spotted on beaches and sea shores. This is because of the high tolerance of salt in the air. The trunks of these trees are used to make hammocks and are usually slightly more tall than broader. The branches tend to provide shade to the person resting on the hammock.
Description:
False mastic is a dense growing plant. This fruit is a small fruit with a color of yellow and orange with a gummy pulp inside it.
The tree of a false mastic fruit grows to be a dense large tree often growing to the size of 80ft tall. Known to be an ever green tree, it grows fast and flowers through-out the year. The flowers borne by this tree have a peculiar smell to it and the smell is described like cheese to many people. The tree which known for its dense nature is often grown in residential areas and also in commercial landscape as it provides shade to the area and maintains a soothing effect.
The trunk of the tree is strong and large with a width of 1-1.2 meters in diameter. Talking about the leaves of the false mastic fruit they are elongated in shape and have a glossy effect to it. This wavy edge leaf spots a dual tone; the upper half of the leaf has a bright green colour to it where as the bottom side of the leaf leaves a yellow tinge to it. Normally found in a clustered position at the end of the twig this leaf has the capability to remain green throughout the year.
The beauty of the flower comes from the flowers it bears. This tree bears flowers throughout the year with a constant on and off. These flowers grow to size of 2cm long and are yellow- orange in colour. As already mentioned about the distinct smell, these flowers smell like cheese…..CLICK & SEE
Once pollinated these flowers are the ones that turns into a fruit with a sticky and gummy orange pulp.
Edible Uses: The fruit does not need any preservation and is usually eaten fresh off the tree.
Health Benefits: Like all other fruits this fruit has lots of health benefits.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideroxylon_foetidissimum
https://www.fruitsinfo.com/false-mastic-fruit.php
