Blighia sapida

Botanical/Scientific Name:

Blighia sapida

Common Name:

Akee Apple

Family Name:

Sapindaceae

Species:

Native

Location on campus:

Chemistry

Local Name:

Description:

Blighia sapida is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall. It has compound leaves with 6-8 pairs of oval or elliptic-shaped leaflets that are glossy and dark green. The tree produces fragrant flowers that bloom several times a year, followed by oval-shaped fruits that turn bright red when ripe. The fleshy pulp of the fruit contains several seeds, which are toxic if consumed raw.

Ornamental Value:

Akee apple tree is occasionally planted as an ornamental tree for its attractive foliage, showy flowers, and bright red fruits. However, it is not widely cultivated for this purpose due to its toxicity.

Medicinal Value:

Extracts from the leaves, bark, and root of Akee have been shown to have antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, due to the toxicity of the fruit, Akee is not widely used in modern medicine.

Economic Importance:

N/A