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Wild Sapodilla
Planchonella obovata
アカテツ
An evergreen tall tree growing in coastal forests from Okinawa to southern Kyushu. The leaves are thick and glossy, and white latex exudes when the trunk or branches are wounded. It bears small white flowers and ellipsoid fruits that ripen to dark purple and are edible.
Identification Points
- ✓White latex exudes when trunk or branches are cut
- ✓Leaves are obovate to elliptic, thick, coriaceous, and glossy
- ✓Fruits are ellipsoid, turning dark purple when ripe
Habitat
Coastal and lowland forests of Okinawa and southern Kyushu
Season
April–June (flowers); October–December (fruit)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Leaf shape
Round
Habitat
Coastal
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Latex
Present
Phylogenetic Positionアカテツ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Ericales > Sapotaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 60 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Sapotaceae is predominantly a tropical woody family. The latex serves as a defensive substance. Sapodilla, the source of natural chewing gum, also belongs to this family.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification