Description

Star Apple (Chrysophyllum cainito)

This tree it not one commonly grown in Barbados.  It grows best in moist, well drained soils and prefers sun exposure.  Established plants are drought tolerant.  The fruit has a sweet flavour and can be eaten raw or made into preserves.  The edible flesh is pleasantly acidic and high in carbohydrate.  The fruit is not good unless it is picked when fully ripe.  The skin needs to be removed.  An emulsion of the slightly bitter kernels is used to make imitation milk-of-almonds.

Medicinally, the ripe fruit is used to sooth inflammation in laryngitis and pneumonia.  It is also used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, angina, haemorrhage and fever.

Fun Fact:  A good quality paper can be produced from the wood pulp