Botanical Characteristics:

• Scientific Name: Manilkara zapota
• Common Names: Banana Sapota, Chikoo, Sapodilla, Chiku
• Family: Sapotaceae

The Banana Sapota is essentially a variety of the sapota tree, which is renowned for its rich, sweet fruit. The term "banana sapota" typically refers to a variety that might have a slightly elongated, banana-shaped fruit, but it is still part of the same botanical family as other varieties of sapota.

2. Physical Characteristics:

• Tree Size: Like other sapota trees, the Banana Sapota tree is a large evergreen tree that can reach heights of 10–15 meters (30–50 feet) in height. In commercial orchards, it is often pruned to a more manageable size.
• Leaves: The tree has dark green, leathery leaves, which are alternate and elongated. These leaves are characteristic of the sapotaceae family and give the tree a dense, tropical appearance.
• Flowers: The flowers are small, yellowish-green, and somewhat fragrant, and they grow in clusters. The flowers typically bloom in the spring and are followed by fruiting in the late summer or fall.