What is Agbalumo?

Answer 1

AGBALUMO is called the WHITE STAR APPLE.

The most important reason is that it is a closely related specie to the Star Apple. As a result their Botanical names are similar:

• Star Apple is Chyrysophyllum Cainito,
• White Star Apple, which is the common Agbalumo, is Chyrysophyllum Albidum,
• The African Star apple is Chyrysophyllum Africanum, Which is a third, closely related but less common specie.

For the proper Star Apple, It has round, purple-skinned fruit that is often green around the calyx, with a star pattern in the pulp. Other similarities to the Agbalumo includes the radial arrangement of its seed, the color and shape of the seeds, and the latex rich rind.

It is for these reasons of its' close relations and several similarities to the Star Apple the Agbalumo was given this English name.

The White Star Apple and African Star Apple are native to Africa. The Star apple is indigenous to Central America and the West Indies.

The Star Apple should not be confused with Starfruit. The Starfruit has ridges running down its sides - usually five ridges, but may vary. As a results when it is viewed in cross section or from the top it looks like a star. Color ranges from yellowish green (when unripe) to yellow (when ripe).

The Agbalumo is not African Cherry, as it is believed in quarters. The African Cherry is Prunus Africana, which is indigenous to Africa, and closely related to the Cherry.