Mamey apple / Mamey

The Mamey evergreen tree is native to the West Indies and northern South America. This tree can grow up to 15 to 22 meters. It has a short trunk and large fruits with a wide globule. The fruit is very fragrant, with apricot and berry flavors. The bark contains tannin. It also includes a pale-yellow latex that is used as an insecticide.

Mamey has antioxidant compounds and contains. vitamin C, copper, iron, vitamin B6, alkaloids, coumarins, phenols, tannins, quinones, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds.  

Mamey can be eaten fresh or canned. The slightly ripe fruits, rich in pectin, are made into jelly. Sliced Mamey meat can be baked into pies or tarts and seasoned with cinnamon or ginger.

The fruit of this tree is valuable and therefore protected in South America. But its wood is used for construction in other areas. The wood of this tree is heavy and hard, but it is not difficult to work with and is used for making cabinets, columns, beams, decorative features of fine houses, paneling, turnery, and fence posts. In addition to its medicinal properties, its unique taste and special use in insecticides have given it a role in the economy.

This plant is evergreen, and at the same time, its extensive lateral roots prevent soil erosion. Moreover, its leaves protect young plants from root-destroying insects.

Annual Yield

Mamey trees produce 180 to 440 kg of fruit per year. 

• Mamey has antitumor and antimicrobial activities,   

• It cures skin diseases, fever, and inflammation,¹

• The bark is used medicinally to treat gallstones, prostatitis, and malaria,  

• The ethanol extract of the leaves and bark of this plant also has antibacterial activity,²

• It is used in folk medicine to treat scalp infections, diarrhea, and digestive and eye problems, 

• There are some antibiotic principles in the pulp,  

• Powdered seeds can be used to prepare anthelmintic tea for adults,³

• The aromatic liqueur made from the distilled Mamey flowers is believed to be digestive.⁴