Family: Malvaceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Matisia cordata (commonly known as South American sapote or chupa chupa) is a tropical fruit tree native to Central and northern South America, ranging from Costa Rica through western South America and into northwestern Brazil. It is a medium to large evergreen tree in the cacao family, producing broad, glossy leaves and large, round to oval fruits. The fruit has soft, aromatic, sweet pulp that is enjoyed fresh and is sometimes used in juices, desserts, and traditional foods within its native range. In tropical regions where it is cultivated, the tree is valued both for its edible fruit and its attractive shade-providing canopy.
Risks & Threats:
There is currently no strong evidence that Matisia cordata is invasive or widely naturalized outside of cultivation, and it is generally considered to have low ecological risk in tropical landscapes. It does not appear to spread aggressively or displace native vegetation under typical conditions. However, as with any introduced fruit tree, it should still be monitored if grown in Hawaiʻi or other island environments, since island ecosystems can be sensitive to new species introductions. At this time, it is regarded as a low-risk species, but continued observation is recommended to ensure it does not become problematic over time.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Shade-tolerant
- Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
- Self-compatible (self-fertile)
- Viable seeds dispersed by mammals (possibly pigs, rodents and mongoose in Hawaiian Islands)
Low Risk Traits:
- No evidence of naturalization or negative impacts have been documented
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Landscaping and ornamental value
- Edible Fruit
- Relatively long time to reproductive maturity (5+ years)
- Large fruits and seeds unlikely to be inadvertently dispersed
- Seeds recalcitrant, lose viability quickly and not likely to form a persistent seed bank
