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VICARP R & D INFORMATION SHEETS

Printed with official permission from PCARRD, the PROSEA representative in the Philippines
Sources of Information:
Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA)
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources Research & Development (PCARRD)
University of the Philippines Los Baos (UPLB)
Department of Agriculture (Laguna Provincial Office)

Caimito
(Chrysophyllum cainito)
Caimito is valued not only for its delicious fruits
but also because of its ornamental attributes.
The graceful branches and the richly colored
foliage provide shade and beauty to the
environment. It is also known as starapple
because its fruit has the shape and size of an
apple and its seeds spread out starlike when cut
crosswise through the middle.
Description
The tree grows up to 30 m high with numerous
slender branches. The leaves are egg-shaped to
oblong, 5-16 cm long, 3-6 cm wide and pointed at
the tip. The upper surface is green while the lower
one is brown.
The flowers are small, yellowish to purplish white and are borne in clusters at the leaf axils of the shoots. The fruits
are oblong to round, 5-10 cm in diameter; skin is smooth, shiny, thick, leathery and may be green or yellowish green
to purple when ripe. The flesh is purple or white, soft, juicy and delicious. Each fruit has three to ten seeds which are
flattened, dark brown, glossy, and smooth.
Variety
There are two known varieties recommended for planting in the Philippines: the Lunti (green skinned) and Lila
(purple skinned). The other known cultivars include Grimal, Hailan, New Combe, and Weeping.
Uses
The ripe fruit is usually eaten fresh but it may also be used as an ingredient of ice cream, sherbet , and fruit salad.
As an herbal medicine, the fruit may cure diabetes. The seed may reduce fever and stop diarrhea. Extract from the
bark is good for dysentery. The infusion is tonic and refreshing. The latex may treat abscesses and eliminate
parasitic worms in humans.
The reddish-brown wood is a good material for construction and as a medium to grow orchids.
Soil and Climatic Requirements
Caimito grows successfully on any kind of soil and climate. However, the tree performs better in a fertile, welldrained, and slightly acidic soil and in areas where the dry season is not very pronounced. In regions with prolonged

VICARP R & D INFORMATION SHEETS

Printed with official permission from PCARRD, the PROSEA representative in the Philippines
Sources of Information:
Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA)
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources Research & Development (PCARRD)
University of the Philippines Los Baos (UPLB)
Department of Agriculture (Laguna Provincial Office)

dry season, wilting and excessive falling of leaves occur because of inadequate water. The fruits become wrinkled
and less juicy.
Cultural Management
Propagation. Caimito may be propagated by seed but asexual propagation through marcotting, inarching, grafting,
and budding is recommended.
Planting. Plant at a distance of 10-12 m. Prepare holes large enough to accommodate the ball of soil of the planting
material. Remove the plastic bag, set the plant at the center of the hole and fill the extra space with the previously
dug topsoil.
Before planting, prune the leaves of the planting materials to reduce transpiration. Planting is best done at the start of
the rainy season to minimize frequent watering of the newly planted trees.
Irrigation. Irrigate the newly transplanted trees to ensure continuos growth. Even mature trees need regular
watering during long dry season.
Fertilization. Apply nitrogenous fertilizer to seedlings to promote healthy growth. For non-bearing trees, apply
ammonium sulfate at the rate of 150-200 g per tree twice a year. At the start of fruiting, apply 500 g of complete
fertilizer per tree twice a year. For full-grown trees, apply 3 kg or more of complete fertilizer per year. Organic
fertilizers may also supply the plants nutrient requirement.
Apply fertilizer at the start and towards the end of the rainy season by digging shallow holes under the tree canopy.
Pruning. Prune excessive branches, allowing only two to three branches to develop. Remove waterspouts and
branches that touch the ground.
Pests and Diseases. Spray copper fungicides to control the fungus, which causes dry sooty rot of fruits.
The insect pests that attack caimito include twig borers, carpenter moth, mealy bugs, scales, and fruit flies. Reduce
the damage of fruit fly by wrapping young fruits, collecting, and destroying the infected fruits.
Birds, bat, and wild cats can also damage ripe fruits.
Harvesting and Postharvest Handling
Caimito trees grown from seeds reach bearing age five to six years or more after planting, whereas asexually
propagated trees bear fruits at a much shorter time.
Fruits do not ripen at the same time so that selective harvesting is usually done. Harvest only ripe fruits since unripe
fruits do not continue to ripen anymore.
Fully ripe fruits are shiny light green or yellow-brown for the green form and pale to dark purple for the purple
form. Collect fruits by cutting the stalk with a pair of clippers or using a long bamboo pole with a net attached to
catch the fruits.

VICARP R & D INFORMATION SHEETS

Printed with official permission from PCARRD, the PROSEA representative in the Philippines
Sources of Information:
Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA)
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources Research & Development (PCARRD)
University of the Philippines Los Baos (UPLB)
Department of Agriculture (Laguna Provincial Office)

Clip off the stem to remove the stub that may injure other fruits. Sort the fruits and separate the damaged ones. Pack
the unblemished fruits in bamboo baskets lined with banana leaves.
Bring the fruits to the market as soon as possible because ripe fruits can only be kept for a few days. However, fruits
stored inside a refrigerator may last for a few weeks.
Source:
PROSEA Leaflet No. 17. 1992
ISBN 971-20-0253-5