Casimiroa is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rutaceae (order Sapindales), native to Mexico and Central America. The genus comprises about 10 species of trees and shrubs, commonly known as sapote — though this name is also applied to unrelated plants in the family Sapotaceae. The most widely known species is C. edulis (white sapote), cultivated for its edible fruit and also valued as a shade tree in coffee plantations, as an ornamental, and as a source of herbal remedies. Other cultivated species include C. sapota and C. tetrameria. The genus was named in honor of Casimiro Gómez, an Otomi Indian who died in Mexico's war of independence.
Etymology
The genus was named in honor of Casimiro Gómez, an Otomi Indian from the town of Cardonal in Hidalgo, Mexico, who fought and died in Mexico's war of independence.
Distribution
Casimiroa species are native to Mexico and Central America. Some species, particularly C. edulis, have been introduced to other tropical and subtropical regions for cultivation.
Cultivation
Several Casimiroa species are cultivated, most notably C. edulis (white sapote) for its sweet, edible fruit. C. edulis is also used as a shade tree in coffee plantations, grown as an ornamental, and employed in traditional herbal medicine. Its wood is occasionally used as lumber. C. sapota and C. tetrameria are also known in cultivation, with C. sapota grown in Mexico for its edible fruit.
Taxonomy Notes
Casimiroa belongs to the family Rutaceae (order Sapindales), which also includes citrus. The common name "sapote" is shared with unrelated plants in the family Sapotaceae (particularly the genus Pouteria) and the black sapote of the Ebenaceae, so the name alone does not imply taxonomic relationship.
