Hortiforum

General Info – Velvet Apple, Mabolo, Kamagong, Butter Fruit, Velvet Persimmon

The Velvet Apple, an attractive ornamental found throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia, boasts both a stunning tree and delicious fruit.
This peculiar fruit resembles a Peach with a slightly fuzzy, velvet-like skin. Despite its size and shape akin to the related Persimmon, beneath the dark red skin lies an aromatic, creamy flesh that is pleasantly sweet and slightly mealy. The taste of Velvet Apples varies, often likened to Mangoes, Strawberries, Bananas, Apples, and Yoghurt, reflecting the diversity within the species. While commonly enjoyed fresh, Velvet Apples also lend themselves well to a variety of desserts, from ice creams to sherbets and fruit salads. Fruits can be enjoyed partially unripe where they will have a firmer, crispier flesh.
A close relative of the Persimmon and Black Sapote, the Velvet Apple shares a similarly handsome appearance. Velvet Apple display a dense growth habit and mature into a formidable size, regularly over 15m and occasionally up to 30m. Despite their large size, Velvet Apple maintain a narrow, compact spread, developing a conical crown. Their pinkish leaves of new growth mature into smooth, glossy green leaves that complement the waxy, cream-coloured flowers. As part of the Diospyros genus, the Velvet Apple is related to Ebony trees, boasting dense black wood ideal for crafting.
While native to the Philippines and Taiwan, Velvet Apples are now cultivated across many tropical climates. They tolerate various soils with adequate drainage and their drought and cold tolerance improve with maturity, tolerating light frosts once mature. Their shallow roots necessitate consistent watering and mulching for optimal growth. Velvet Apples exhibit remarkable wind tolerance, rendering them well-suited for climates prone to cyclones. It’s important to note the diecious nature of Velvet Apple plants, requiring both male and female specimens for pollination. However, nurseries rarely sell plants with known genders. Due to their notable size, available space should be carefully considered, but once mature, Velvet Apples reward with abundant harvests.
Handsome and productive, the Velvet Apple stands out as a remarkable tree, both for its appearance and its fruit.

Plant Profile/Properties