Pouteria lucuma
Lucuma
Pouteria lucuma
Pouteria lucuma, is one of the cold hardiest Sapotaceae. This plant has major potential to be incorporated into marginal or zone pushing gardens as it is unfettered by light frosts and maybe even more. Lucuma is highly treasured in it’s native range, Peru, for use in ice creams. This plant has a beautiful glabrous leaf and form that makes it a large bit not overbearing tree for the landscape. There are two typical phenotypes that can be found in California; ‘De seda’, a moist pulp type with rich flavor and ‘Palo’ the more common dryer type with a crumbly flesh and rich flavor. If you have eaten Canistel you will be familiar with the texture and flavor of this fruit. Lucuma makes a much cold hardier and feasible alternative to Canistel as Canistel is usually found in more tropical climates. Lucuma may have potential as root stock for various other more cold sensitive Sapotaceae, and is something that I am experimenting with.
Family: Sapotaceae
Name: Pouteria lucuma
Common Name / Native Name: Lucuma
Range: Western South America from Colombia to Northern Chile
Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade
Height: 60+feet
Width: 30+ feet
Foliage: Large leaves resembling that of an avocado yet have orange fuzzy hairs distinguishing them.
Flower: A small nondescript Sapotaceae flower that is born on the trunks and mature branches of the tree.
Fruit: An orange fruit a little larger than a golfball that has fuzz that can be wiped off. The fruit has latex and resembles an Abiu.
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidity.
USDA Climate Zones: Undetermined, potentially 10a+
Cold Hardiness: Unknown
Edibility: A very good fruit that is favored by those who are lucky enough to find one. It has a caramel taste similar to abiu, although is smaller and a little bit more strongly flavored.
Sources:
http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:209804-2#synonyms
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Pouteria+lucuma