Mammea
(from Mammey, its vernacular name in South America). ORD. Guttiferae. A genus comprising five species of stove fruiting trees, of which one is tropical American, another tropical African, and the rest natives of tropical Asia and Madagascar. Flowers polygamous; calyx globular, opening in two valvate sepals; petals four to six; peduncles axillary, one-flowered, solitary or fasciculate. Drupe indehiscent, one to four-seeded. Leaves rigid, coriaceous, often having pellucid dots. The species require strong heat to thrive well; and a compost of fibry, sandy loam, with a little dried leaf mould, is most suitable. Propagated by cuttings of half-ripened shoots, taken with the leaves intact, and placed under a bell glass, in bottom heat. M. africana. See Ochrocarpus africanus.
M. americana (American). Mammee-tree. fl. white, fragrant, 1 1/2in. diameter; peduncles one-flowered, short, scattered over the stouter branches. July. fr. large, round, obsoletely three or four-cornered, about the size of a cannon-ball, covered with a double rind; the outer leathery, one line in thickness, tough, brownish-yellow; the inner thin, yellow, adhering closely to the flesh, which is firm, bright yellow, has a singular, pleasant taste, and a sweet, aromatic smell; but the skin and seeds are very bitter and resinous. l. obovate, very blunt, quite entire, 5in. to 8in. long. h. 60ft. Tropical America, 1739. A handsome tree, with a thick, elegant, spreading head. Eau de Creole-an aromatic liqueur-is distilled from the flowers of this species.
