Family: Calophyllaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Mammea americana (mammee apple, tropical apricot) is a tropical fruit tree native to southern Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean. It is a slow-growing, evergreen tree that can reach large sizes, with glossy, leathery leaves and fragrant white flowers. The fruit is round to slightly irregular, with thick brownish skin and sweet, aromatic orange flesh when ripe. In its native and cultivated range, the fruit is enjoyed fresh or used in juices, desserts, preserves, and sometimes fermented beverages. The tree is also occasionally planted as a shade or ornamental tree in tropical landscapes.

Risks & Threats
This species is considered low risk for invasive behavior and is not known to be naturalized or spreading aggressively in Hawaii or similar island ecosystems. It does not produce large numbers of easily dispersed seeds or show rapid growth that would typically allow it to outcompete native vegetation. While it may persist in cultivated settings and occasionally reproduce in favorable conditions, it is generally well-behaved in managed landscapes. As with any introduced fruit tree, care should still be taken to prevent unintended spread, but Mammea americana is not currently viewed as a significant ecological threat.

High Risk Traits:

• Adapted to tropical/subtropical climates
  
• Tolerates wide range of soils (including shallow, sandy, limestone)
  
• Toxic to animals (seeds poisonous; fruit extract toxic to guinea pigs, dogs, cats)
  
• Toxic to humans (seeds toxic; fruit may cause digestive discomfort)
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Coppices well (tolerates mutilation)

Low Risk Traits:

• Not naturalized widely (Galapagos record equivocal)
  
• No weed or pest status reported
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not parasitic, climbing, or smothering
  
• No prolific seed production (150–400 fruits/tree/year)
  
• No persistent seed bank (seeds viable 2–4 months)
  
• No wind, external animal, or contaminant dispersal
  
• Attracts bees/hummingbirds (no specialist pollinator needed)
  
• No vegetative fragmentation