Annona sp.

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This rare Annona is a species originally brought to us from Costa Rica. We believe it to be a natural hybrid between A. muricata and A. glabra.

It is a very ornamental, evergreen, small to medium size tree with waxy, large 4-6" leaves, similar to A. muricata, A. montana or Rollinia. Fast growing, forms nice bushy specimen. Flowers are very similar to A. muricata.

It has a large, up to 1 lb fruit, green when unripe, sometimes with gray to brown spots, turning dark yellow to orange on ripening. The pulp is golden to orange when ripe, with strong Pineapple scent, and resembling Jackfruit in texture. Flavor is like the custard apple but with pineapple, papaya, apricot and melon overtones. Note that some people dislike the taste, others find it good.

Fruits tend to be quite seedy. Skin of unripe fruit is tough, looks similar to Annona glabra, however it is smooth, without any bumps or segments.

This species prefers well-irrigated sites, and seems to tolerate flooding. It is also cold hardy at least to upper 20's for a few hours. 3 year old trees survived several nights with frost with hardly any leaf damage. This feature, along with a tasty fruit and flood tolerance, makes this species desirable for Florida gardens and other similar subtropical areas. The plant would be very interesting for rare fruit collectors as it offers a large, exotic fruit of unusual color and taste, and appears to be much more hardy and water tolerant than similar looking but sensitive A. muricata, A. montana and Rollinia.

Propagation is by seed, which are grayish to light brown. If stored for several months, seeds may take up to six months to sprout. Trees produce after three to four years from seed.

Similar plants:

• Annona cherimola (Cherimoya, Chirimoya, Custard Apple)
• Annona cherimola x Annona squamosa (Atemoya)
• Annona diversifolia (Annona ilama, Illama, Annona blanca)
• Annona glabra (Pond Apple, Alligator Apple, Monkey Apple)
• Annona haitiensis (Annona)
• Annona hayesii (Wild Cherimoya, Canelo)
• Annona hypoglauca (Wild Cherimoya, Anon cimarron)
• Annona maritima, Rollinia maritima (Aratikum, Quaresma)
• Annona montana (Mountain Soursop, Wild Custard Apple, Guanabana de monte, Wild Soursop)
• Annona muricata (Soursop, Guanabana, Graviola, Korosol, Corosol)