The ancient Mayan tree that provided the original base for modern chewing gum.

Gardening · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Known as Manilkara zapota, this tropical evergreen is more than just a source of sweet, pear-like fruit. Its bark secretes a milky latex called chicle, which the Aztecs chewed as gum. Today, this resilient, wind-resistant tree remains a staple across the tropics, valued for its durable wood and medicinal potential.

Native to a range stretching from Mexico to Colombia, Manilkara zapota is a slow-growing, evergreen tree that thrives in wet tropical biomes. While it is primarily cultivated for its edible berries—which feature a grainy, malty-sweet flesh—the tree has a long history of human utility. Its reddish wood is exceptionally hard and durable; remarkably, elaborately carved lintels made from this timber still survive in Mayan ruins after 1,000 years.

The tree’s most famous contribution to global commerce was chicle, the white, gummy latex harvested from its bark. Historically, this substance served as the primary ingredient in the chewing-gum industry. Beyond its industrial and culinary uses, the species is a subject of ongoing scientific interest. Research has indicated that leaf extracts may possess anti-diabetic and cholesterol-lowering properties in rats, while seed extracts have shown in vitro antibacterial activity against pathogens like Vibrio cholerae.

Cultivating the tree requires patience, as specimens typically take five to eight years to bear fruit after germination. While they can reach heights exceeding 30 meters in the wild, cultivated trees are usually kept between 9 and 15 meters. The species is highly sensitive to cold, dying easily if temperatures drop below freezing, yet it remains a beloved fixture in tropical landscapes, where it is often propagated by seed or grafting to ensure superior fruit quality.

The taxonomy of the tree is notoriously complex, reflecting its widespread distribution and long history of human interaction. It has been described under dozens of different names over the centuries, including various synonyms in the genera Achras, Lucuma, and Manilkariopsis. This botanical diversity highlights its deep integration into the social and environmental fabric of the regions where it grows, from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia.

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