Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) Mammea americana
Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) (Mammea americana) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Calophyllaceae family, native to West Indies and northern South America. It grows 12–20 m (39–66 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 9 m (30 ft) apart.
Plan Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Calophyllaceae |
| Mature height | 12–20 m (39–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 9 m (30 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | West Indies and northern South America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: seeds, resin, bark
Seeds and resin are poisonous (used as insecticides); the bitter white rind and seed coat are removed before the flesh is eaten. Reported toxic to dogs and cats that eat the fruit.
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 Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo)
- How far apart should I plant Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo)?
- About 9 m (30 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. Seeds and resin are poisonous (used as insecticides); the bitter white rind and seed coat are removed before the flesh is eaten. Reported toxic to dogs and cats that eat the fruit.
- What grows well with Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mammee apple (mamey de Santo Domingo). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- A stiff, dense evergreen with thick glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers; the round brown fruit has firm apricot-coloured flesh.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Grapevine Vitis vinifera
- Common fig Ficus carica