The mammee flower is fragrant, has four or six white petals, and reaches 2.5–4.0 cm (0.98–1.57 in) wide when fully blossomed.

In fact, the rind consists of the exocarp and mesocarp of the fruit, while the pulp is formed from the endocarp.

It was then introduced to various regions in the Old World: West Africa, particularly Sierra Leone, Zanzibar, Southeast Asia, and Hawaii.

In Central America, the species is found to grow up to an altitude of 1,000 m. It thrives best in rich, deep, and well-drained soil, but is very adaptive; it also grows on limestone in Jamaica, in the oolithic limestone of the Bahamas, and on ancient coral bedrock in Barbados, as well as coral cays off the coast of Florida[citation needed].

The tree is very sensitive to low temperatures, but seems remarkably resistant to pests and diseases[citation needed].

In Trinidad and Tobago, the grated seeds are mixed with rum or coconut oil to treat head lice and chiggers.

In the Bahamas, the flesh is first put in salted water to remove its bitterness, before cooking it with much sugar to make a sort of jam.

In Puerto Rico, mammee leaves are wrapped around young tomato plants to keep mole crickets and cutworms away.

In a similar way, the bark gum is melted with fat in Jamaica and Mexico, then applied to the feet to repel chiggers or fleas on animals.

The mammee timber is heavy and hard, yet easy to work; it has received, however, only limited commercial interest.