Chrysophyllum cainito

The common names cainito and caimito likely come from the Mayan words cab (juice), im (breast), and vitis (sap), via Spanish.^[5] Star apple is a common name.^[6] It is also known as the purple apple.^{[citation needed]}

The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple oval, entire, 5–15 cm long; the underside shines with a golden color when seen from a distance. The tiny flowers are purplish white and have a sweet fragrant smell. The tree is also hermaphroditic (self-fertile). It produces a strong odor.

The fruit is globose and typically measures from 2 to 3 inches in diameter.^[7] When ripe, it usually has purple skin with a faint green area appearing around the calyx. A radiating star pattern is visible in the pulp. Greenish-white and yellow-fruited cultivars are sometimes available. The skin is rich in latex, and both it and the rind are not edible. The flattened seeds are light brown and hard. It is a seasonal fruit bearing tree.^{[citation needed]}

The fruits are used as a fresh dessert fruit; it is sweet and often served chilled. The fruit also exists in three colors, dark purple, greenish brown and yellow. The purple fruit has a denser skin and texture while the greenish brown fruit has a thin skin and a more liquid pulp; the yellow variety is less common.^{[citation needed]}

A number of related species, also called star apples, are grown in Africa including Gambeya albida and G. africana.^[8]

• 
  Cainito fruit cut in half
• 
  Freshly plucked cainitos
• 
  Leaves
• 
  Fruits, usually purple, may also be green or red