Family: Rutaceae

Casimiroa edulis, commonly known as casimiroa, Mexican-apple, or white sapote, is a medium to large evergreen tree native to Mexico and parts of Central America. It has a rounded canopy with glossy green leaves and produces smooth, green to yellow fruits with soft, sweet, custard-like flesh that is often compared to banana, peach, or pear. White sapote has long been cultivated for its edible fruit and is grown in home gardens and orchards in subtropical regions around the world, including Hawaiʻi’s cooler upland areas. In addition to food production, it is sometimes used as a shade tree or windbreak and can also serve as fodder for livestock.

White sapote is considered low risk in Hawaiʻi and does not show the aggressive invasive traits seen in many problem species. While it can produce viable seed and has become naturalized in some regions outside its native range, there is little evidence that it spreads rapidly or displaces native vegetation. It does not form dense thickets, does not spread by vegetative fragments, and generally requires deliberate planting to establish. One important caution is that the seeds are toxic if eaten raw by people or animals, and the fruit can host certain agricultural pests such as fruit flies. Overall, when managed responsibly, white sapote poses limited ecological risk and is not considered a significant threat to natural ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Suited to tropical and subtropical climates, including cooler upland areas in Hawaiʻi
  
• Broad environmental tolerance, thriving across a wide range of soils (sand, clay, limestone) with good drainage
  
• Naturalized beyond its native range (e.g., parts of Australia and other regions where cultivated)
  
• Produces viable seed and is commonly grown from seed
  
• Seeds and fruit dispersed intentionally by people because of its edible value
  
• Seeds can survive passage through the gut, allowing animal-mediated dispersal (e.g., bats)
  
• Host for recognized agricultural pests, including fruit flies and fruit-piercing moths
  
• Seeds are toxic if eaten raw, posing a potential risk to people or animals if misused

Low Risk Traits:

• Not known to be an environmental weed in Hawaiʻi or most regions where grown
  
• No evidence of aggressive spread or dense thicket formation
  
• Does not reproduce vegetatively by fragmentation
  
• Long juvenile period (typically 7–8 years from seed), slowing spread
  
• Not shade tolerant; prefers full sun
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Generally palatable to livestock and used as a fodder tree
  
• Not known to increase fire risk