Gayella

Gayella
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Sapotaceae
Genus: Gayella
Pierre
Species:
G. valparadisaea
Binomial name
Gayella valparadisaea
(Molina) Pierre
Synonyms
  • Gayella splendens (A.DC.) Aubrév. (1962)
  • Gayella valparadisaea (Molina) Pierre (1890)
  • Lucuma splendens A.DC. (1844)
  • Lucuma valparadisaea Molina (1782)
  • Pouteria splendens (A.DC.) Kuntze (1898)
  • Vitellaria valparadisaea (Molina) Radlk. ex Dubard (1912)

Gayella valparadisaea is a species of plant in the family Sapotaceae. It is the sole species in genus Gayella. It is a tree or shrub endemic to the coastal areas of central Chile. It was previously considered to be a member of the genus Pouteria before genetic analysis justified its classification as a separate, monotypic genus. Due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as lack of living seed dispersers, this species is classified as Endangered. It produces an edible fruit similar to that of lúcuma fruit. Common names for this species include "lúcumo silvestre" and "palo colorado".