Spondias dulcis aka Golden Apple

Spondias dulcis is a tropical fruit tree in the Anacardiaceae family. Its common names include ambarella, golden apple, and Otaheite apple. Kew places its native range from eastern Malesia to the Santa Cruz Islands. Growers plant it across the tropics for fruit and ornament. Reports also place it in dry forests and regrowth woodland. These habitats extend from sea level to about 1,640 feet [500 metres].

This fast-growing tree sheds its leaves. It often reaches about 49 feet [15 metres] tall. Larger trees can reach 82 feet [25 metres]. The trunk can grow to roughly 1.5 feet [0.45 metres] across. Its size makes it a large feature in tropical gardens. Bees pollinate its flowers. The wood has a pale brown core and whitish to pale yellow outer layers. It is light, fairly soft, and lacks durability.

The oblong fruit can reach 0.33 feet [0.10 metres] long. Green fruit has crisp flesh and a tart taste. As it turns yellow, the flesh softens and fibres become more obvious. Ripe fruit ranges from sweet to sour, with a slight resin-like taste. People eat the fruit fresh or cook it. They also make jam and marmalade from it. Unripe fruit adds sour flavour to soups and sauces. Young leaves have a tart taste and are edible raw or cooked. People also steam them as a vegetable. The seeds have sharp spines, so eating the fruit needs care.

Give this tree a sunny site in a frost-free tropical climate. Shade greatly reduces its fruit crop. It grows best where daytime temperatures average 22–27°C. Dormant trees may survive brief cold near −3°C. New growth can suffer severe harm at 0°C. Preferred annual rainfall is about 900–1,800 millimetres. It accepts soils that are not rich in nutrients. Very poor soil and shallow ground are unsuitable.

Growers can raise new plants from seed, cuttings, or air layers. Seeds may sprout within a month, and air layers root well. Large stem pieces can form living fence posts. Grafting and budding are also possible, though seedlings grow more strongly. Traditional medicine uses the fruit, leaves, and bark for several complaints. Such reported uses do not establish that these treatments work or are safe.