Spondias cytherea — an easy houseplant, prefers full sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Spondias cytherea

Spondias Cytherea

Updated · 15 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Spondias dulcis (syn. Spondias cytherea), known commonly as ambarella (ඇඹරැල්ලා) in Sri Lanka or June plum, is a tropical tree, with edible fruit containing a fibrous pit. In the English speaking Caribbean it is typically known as golden apple and elsewhere in the Caribbean as pommecythere or cythere. In Polynesia it is known as vī.

A note from PlantMom

Yellow mombin is fairly disease-resistant and typically not susceptible to illnesses. As for upkeep, this plant is fairly easy to care for. When grown outdoors it needs only light watering, and larger specimens usually do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be trimmed after they finish blooming. Yellow mombint is appropriate for anyone who has an outdoor area, like a garden or deck, and it does not call for much gardening experience.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Spondias Cytherea.

Light

Yellow mombin does best in places that receive abundant sunlight throughout the day, reflecting its natural preference for high exposure. Native to areas where sunlight is dominant, it can be hindered by either too little or too much light, which may impair its healthy growth.

Temperature

Yellow mombin comes from tropical areas, where the weather is usually warm and humid. Therefore it is well adapted to high heat and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden shifts in temperature and prefers a steady temperature, so it is important to avoid temperature swings indoors. It generally cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Fertilizer

Choose organic fertilizers (e.g., fish emulsion, compost) instead of chemical fertilizers for Yellow mombin. Provide higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus to young plants in spring. Incorporate compost or fertilizer into the soil before or after planting. For mature plants, supplement in spring with a balanced fertilizer or one specific to the deficiency. Nutrient deficiency causes small leaves, shortened branches, yellow/bronze foliage, acidic fruits, premature fruit drop, and splitting.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Spondias
Family
Anacardiaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-11
Mature Height
14.94 m to 24.99 m
Mature Spread
10.06 m to 14.94 m
Leaf Color
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 0.51 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Panama, Jamaica, Colombia, Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica
ALSO KNOWN AS

Other names.

en Golden apple en Jewish plum en Oatahette Apple en Otaheite-apple en Polynesian-plum en Ambarella en Wi-tree en Yellow plum en Kandrondro en Kedongdong en Pyéponmsitè en Great hog plum en Jew-plum
PLATES
Spondias cytherea leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Spondias cytherea leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Spondias cytherea flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Spondias cytherea flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Spondias cytherea fruit
PLATE 05 · fruit
Spondias cytherea fruit
PLATE 06 · fruit
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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