Sapodilla

Manilkara zapota

Evolution Project.mov

Figure 1. Sapodilla hanging from tree

Quick Facts about the Sapodilla

Ancient sugary fruit that has been around since the Mayan Empire
Mayans used a rubbery, latex byproduct the fruit produces to create something called chicle (or ancient chewing gum)!
It can be eaten like normal fruit but it as also been used for medicinal purposes
Some of the remaining Mayan temples and structures have the lintels made from the sapodilla’s wood.

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Click the link below for my evolutionary timeline!

https://prezi.com/view/ZjhElyK0MJVoDVwQefIj/

Evolutionary Timeline

Genetics and Variability

Genetics studies how genes and traits (height, color, etc.) are passed on from generation to generation.
Genetic variability is the difference between populations of the same species.
Cross-breeding among varieties of sapodilla allows for genetic variability.
- Some sapodilla cultivars exhibit self-incompatibility, which is the inability to self-fertilize, and they will not produce any offspring unless they are cross-pollinated.
Wild vs mutant type alleles are another great example of variability.
- Wild types are the original allele
- Mutant types are mutations of the original allele

Figure 2

Chicozapote

Mexico (wild type)

Figure 3

Lamood

Thailand (mutant type)

The above photos show the difference between a wild type and a mutant type sapodilla. The wild type from Mexico is smaller and rounder, while the mutant type from Thailand is larger and longer.

Co-evolution with Humans

As mentioned above, the sapodilla can be linked back to the Mayan Empire, where it played an enormous role as not only a food source, but also for medicine, and construction. The fruit (seeds too) was used to help cure people of an illness as serious as dysentery to something as simple as a bug sting (photo with pharmacological uses below). The wood was very strong and sturdy, which was perfect for construction as well as for creating pieces of art. Below is a photo of a Mayan lintel (support beam) made from the sapodilla tree's wood, it not only a piece of art but was also structural.

Figure 4. Pharmacological uses

Figure 5. Mayan lintel

Though the fruit and it's tree are native to Central America, it is widespread. Below is a map that shows its place of origin and where it is now considered invasive or naturalized!

Figure 6. Map of where sapodilla is invasive or naturalized

FACT

South and Central Florida consider sapodilla to be an invasive species due to its large canopy which disrubts the natural fauna in the area.

Figure 7. Shows the size of the sapodilla tree's canopy

Natural Selection

The widespread growing and cultivation of the sapodilla has led to a wonderful variety of size, shape, and color among the group. Some varieties tend to be more rounded, while other are more elongated, some have a sweeter taste while other are more mild. All of these factors are not only due to how the fruit adapts to its landscape but also due to human selection!
Humans have all but perfected the art of picking and choosing things that are not only beneficial, but that they also like. If a farmer was to taste a variety that is sweeter than the one he currently grows, he may plant the sweeter variety.
Sapodilla also has a natural resistance to a variety of pests and diseases, winds, and salt. These are extremely beneficial characteristics that have aided in the widespread of the fruit.

Figure 9. Varieties of sapodilla

Refrences

Bernhardt, Ed. “Sapodilla Is a Chewing Gum Tree with Juicy Fruit.” The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate, 16 Mar. 2022, ticotimes.net/2022/03/16/sapodilla-chewing-gum-tree-has-juicy-fruit.

“Charles Zidar - Ancient Maya Botanical Research.” Famsi.org, 2025, research.famsi.org/botany/plant_info.php?plant_id=128andfamily=andgenus=andspecies=.

“HS1/MG057: Sapodilla Growing in the Florida Home Landscape.” Edis.ifas.ufl.edu, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG057.

iluma Agency. “Sapodilla (Chiku) as a Delicate Dessert.” Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 21 Mar. 2023, fairchildgarden.org/visit/sapodilla-chiku-as-a-delicate-dessert/.

LR. “Sapodilla, Manilkara Sapote.” Growables.org, 2016, www.growables.org/information/TropicalFruit/SapodillaManilkaraSapota.htm.

Rojas-Sandoval, J, and A Praci. “Manilkara Zapota (Sapodilla).” CABI Compendium, vol. CABI Compendium, 7 Jan. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.34560.

“Sapodilla.” Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org/species/sapodilla/.

“Sapodilla – Koerner Agro Export Center.” Koerneragro.com, 2025, www.koerneragro.com/product/sapodilla/.

Sharma, Priyanka, et al. “Pharmacological Potential of (L.) P. Royen (Sapodilla): A Narrative Review.” Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine = Chung I Tsa Chih Ying Wen Pan, vol. 44, no. 2, Apr. 2024, pp. 403–407, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38504547/, https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2024.02.001.

“The Chewing Gum Tree.” Www.mexicolore.co.uk, 31 July 2009, www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/artefacts/chewing-gum-tree.

“Tree of Life Web Project.” Tolweb.org, tolweb.org/tree/phylogeny.html.

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