Native to the West Indies, it is an evergreen tree cultivated in the tropical regions of Central America and the Caribbean islands​. The tree thrives in both dry and wet forests of tropical and subtropical life zones. The fruit is edible and aromatic, however the seeds are poisonous​. The fruit is eaten fresh when soft and is astringent and rich in pectin and is called Mamey in Colombia. Photographed in the department of Santander, Colombia.