Star Apple 'Alva' (photo courtesy Fruitopia Nursery, Brisbane - fruitopianursery.com.au)
Star Apple 'Alva'
Chrysophyllum cainito
The ‘Alva’ is a very tropical and difficult to acquire variety of Star Apple. We are stretching it’s limits here in northern NSW, which can explain the tree’s shabby appearance by the end of winter. The fruit however is of the highest quality, which is why we are persevering with this variety - the rewards are there if we can get this tree to maturity!
The fruit exists in three colours, dark purple (denser skin and texture), greenish brown (thin skin and more liquid pulp) and yellow, which is less common and difficult to find. Star Apple fruit only ripen on the tree, so pick them when they’re ready! - when ripe, the fruit will be dull in colour, slightly soft, and a little wrinkled. If the skin is shiny, it’s not quite ripe.
The fruit is sweet, smooth and aromatic. Preferably chilled, it may be cut in half (to produce an attractive star pattern) and the flesh spooned out, leaving the inedible seeds and core. The fruit is used as a fresh dessert, also makes a nice drink when mixed with orange, and is excellent in milkshakes. Infusions of the leaves have been used against diabetes and articular rheumatism. The fruit has anti-oxidant properties.
Star Apple trees can be quite a stunning looking tree, with their glossy bright green leaves on one side and almost metallic bronze on the underside.
Native to the Isthmus of Panama.
Tree maintenance
Chrysophyllum cainito
The ‘Alva’ is a very tropical and difficult to acquire variety of Star Apple. We are stretching it’s limits here in northern NSW, which can explain the tree’s shabby appearance by the end of winter. The fruit however is of the highest quality, which is why we are persevering with this variety - the rewards are there if we can get this tree to maturity!
The fruit exists in three colours, dark purple (denser skin and texture), greenish brown (thin skin and more liquid pulp) and yellow, which is less common and difficult to find. Star Apple fruit only ripen on the tree, so pick them when they’re ready! - when ripe, the fruit will be dull in colour, slightly soft, and a little wrinkled. If the skin is shiny, it’s not quite ripe.
The fruit is sweet, smooth and aromatic. Preferably chilled, it may be cut in half (to produce an attractive star pattern) and the flesh spooned out, leaving the inedible seeds and core. The fruit is used as a fresh dessert, also makes a nice drink when mixed with orange, and is excellent in milkshakes. Infusions of the leaves have been used against diabetes and articular rheumatism. The fruit has anti-oxidant properties.
Star Apple trees can be quite a stunning looking tree, with their glossy bright green leaves on one side and almost metallic bronze on the underside.
Native to the Isthmus of Panama.
Tree maintenance
- Watering during and after the flowering period will improve yield.
- The tree can survive without any fertiliser but productivity will improve if NPK organic fertiliser is given from a young age, increasing to 3kg a year as the tree matures.
- Pruning - early pruning involves selection of 3-4 main branches to establish a balanced scaffold, and crossing branches should be removed; to encourage new growth, prune branch tips at the end of summer; the tree size should be contained when mature.
Beautiful two-toned foliage of Star Apple 'Alva' at LCG January 2025 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Star Apple 'Alva' at LCG January 2025 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Star Apple 'Alva' at LCG July 2023 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
