Spanish Cherry (Mimusops elengi)

Family: Sapotaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Red Condo or Spanish Cherry (Mimusops elengi) a medium-sized, evergreen, tropical tree growing about 15 - 30 m in height. It has a dense, rounded, spreading crown and short bole of up to 100 cm in diameter. The bark is cracked. The leaves are, oval, glossy, dark green, simple and alternate arranged. The star-shaped, cream, and hairy flowers form into clusters in the leaf axils. The fruits are orange-red when ripe and oval.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet flavour. — The fruit can be eaten raw, preserved or pickled.; Yellow when ripe, they have a sweet flavour.; The pulp is starchy with a floury texture.; The fruit is insipid and/or astringent.

Habitat & North American Range

Humid lowland forests. Fairly common near the sea, but may also be found in rocky locations and inland forest at elevations up to 600 metres. (Zone 10)