African star apple (agbalumo, udara) Gambeya albida
African star apple (agbalumo, udara) (Gambeya albida) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Sapotaceae family, native to West and Central African forest (Senegal to Uganda and Angola; syn. Chrysophyllum albidum). It grows 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 13 °C (55 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan African star apple (agbalumo, udara) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
African star apple (agbalumo, udara) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 m (49–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 13 °C (55 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (sweet-sour pulp and chewy skin) |
| Native to | West and Central African forest (Senegal to Uganda and Angola; syn. Chrysophyllum albidum) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria |
Is African star apple (agbalumo, udara) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the fruit has sticky latex.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with African star apple (agbalumo, udara)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about African star apple (agbalumo, udara)
- How far apart should I plant African star apple (agbalumo, udara)?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does African star apple (agbalumo, udara) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does African star apple (agbalumo, udara) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is African star apple (agbalumo, udara)?
- It tolerates about 13 °C (55 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does African star apple (agbalumo, udara) flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is African star apple (agbalumo, udara) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; the fruit has sticky latex.
- What grows well with African star apple (agbalumo, udara)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for African star apple (agbalumo, udara). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
- PROTA4U: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA Foundation, Wageningen
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Leaves glossy green above and silvery-buff below. The orange fruits, sold everywhere in Lagos in the dry season, have a star of shiny seeds inside. Kew now places it in Gambeya rather than Chrysophyllum.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lúcuma Pouteria lucuma
- Argan tree Sideroxylon spinosum
- Shea tree Vitellaria paradoxa
- Sapodilla (chico, lamut) Manilkara zapota
- Star apple (caimito) Chrysophyllum cainito
- Spanish cherry (bullet wood, phikun) Mimusops elengi
- Mamey sapote Pouteria sapota
- Abiu Pouteria caimito