Casimiroa tetrameria
Matasano de mico, Wooly Leaf Sapote
Casimiroa tetrameria
Matasano de mico is a very uncommon Casimiroa species. Casimiroa tetrameria is a subtropical tree that is found throughout coastal mountain ranges of Central America. This species is known as the Wooly Leafed Sapote and has been an important part in creating one of the most common Casimiroa spp. Varieties; Sue Belle. Sue Belle is believed to be a hybrid of C. tetrameria and C. edulis.
The first White Sapote that I tried was one from a tree that I spotted on the side of the road. Those yellow/green palmate leaves grabbed my eyes and drew me in. I was surprised to see the fuzzy leaves and small dwarf tree size, when what I had mostly seen online was of large towering trees. What I found is likely to have been a Sue Belle or perhaps some other hybrid between the two species.
I have some grafted C. tetrameria trees and they are seriously beautiful with their huge ultra fuzzy palmate leaves. I can’t get enough of em, which is why I already have 2 trees! I’ve heard they can be used as rootstock or interstem to dwarf out C. edulis that have a tendency to get huge. I’m really stoked to get some new genetics in my collection and to be able to offer this plant!
Family: Rutaceae
Name: Casimiroa tetrameria
Common Name / Native Name: Wooly Leaf Sapote, matasano de mico, (Maya) yuy
Range: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Southern Mexico
Sun: Full sun/part shade
Height: 30+ feet
Width: 15+ feet
Foliage: Large fuzzy palmate leaves
Flower: Small white/yellow flowers on short racemes, perfect (male & female on same flower)
Fruit: Fruits about the size of a lemon with a light green/yellow color
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidic soils but will tolerate higher pH
USDA Climate Zones: 9b+
Cold Hardiness: Has been grown in 9b locations and will grow with little to no damage
Edibility: A very enjoyable tasting Casimiroa. The fruit has the custardy flesh similar of C. edulis, and is very sweet as well. There are mentions of it having a “peppery” flavor which may be similar to how some Annona species are close to the exocarp.
Age to maturity: 6 to 8 years
Sources:
https://www.backyardnature.net/mexnat/zapote.htm
https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Casimiroa+tetrameria