Manilkara huberi

Manilkara huberi is a large tree, reaching heights of 30–55 metres (98–180 ft). The leaves are oblong, approximately 1–2 decimetres (3.9–7.9 in) in length, with yellow undersides. The flowers are hermaphroditic; white with 3 sepals. The edible fruit is yellow and ovoid, 3 centimetres (1.2 in) in diameter, containing one seed (or occasionally two).

Manilkara huberi is native to large parts of northern South America, Central America and the Antilles, at elevations below 800 metres (2,600 ft) above sea level.

The fruit of the M. huberi is similar to the sapodilla and is edible, with excellent flavor and is popular for use in desserts. Etymologically speaking, "Sapodilla" derives from the Nahuatl word "tzapotl" which refers to any sweet fruit with a soft flesh. Hence many species of Manilkara may be colloquially called "sapote" or "sapodilla" and indeed a number of unrelated fruit trees such as Pouteria sapota. M. huberi produces an edible latex called Chicle that can be harvested in a manner similar to the harvesting of the latex of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). The latex dries to an inelastic rubber, which is considered inferior to gutta-percha. The latex from M. huberi was used to make golf ball covers, along with that the better known and more widespread M. bidentata ("Balata" or "Massaranduba.") Latex products from a number of Manilkara species being interchangeably called "balata", "Gutta Balata", or more generally "Chicle." It was considered a good quality, but short-lived, cover, requiring frequent recoating or replacement. Balls with Balata coatings had a high spin rate. Yet it was popular in tournaments among professionals and low handicap players. …