Annona scleroderma

Annona scleroderma, also known as Poshe-te, is a tree native to Central America. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and has lanceolate leaves that are shiny on the upper side and pubescent on the underside. The greenish yellow flowers have prominent outer petals and grow in small branches or groups on the old part of the thick branches.

The Poshe-te fruit is round, about the size of an orange, with a dull green surface and perfectly textured, non-fibrous pulp. Its tough skin allows for easy handling and makes it resistant to insect attacks. To facilitate fruit harvesting and protect against wind and bird damage, it is important to prune the tree to create a wide crown.

The Poshe-te is known for its creamy banana-pineapple like flavor and soft texture, and is considered one of the most flavorful and refreshing Annonas. In addition to its delicious taste, the fruit is also rich in nutrients, including vitamin C, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, and zinc, as well as bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties.

It grows outdoor in USDA Zones 9-11. To grow Annona scleroderma in a pot in a cold region, place the pot in a sunny spot and ensure it has well-drained soil. Water deeply, but do not saturate the soil. Once it is established, the tree should not need a lot of additional water. It can withstand temperatures down to 32F and is drought tolerant, making it a suitable choice for colder climates.

Annona sp.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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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.

Annona squamosa

Very highly regarded in tropical and subtropical areas. Fruits with sweet custard-like pulp are from 3 to 5 inches in diameter with a lumpy green skin and upon maturity the fruit has a bluish or white blush. Some varieties are developed that have a red blush or red skin which are much more attractive. At maturity fruits have a custard like white pulp with small black seeds and the sweet flesh is eaten fresh or used for milkshakes and ice creams. Sugar apples make great container plants, too, so if you don't have much space try growing these in a 10 or 15 gallon tub, and they will still reward you with a number of delicious fruit. Older trees may continue fruiting into January during warm winter. Trees reach full dormancy during cold winters. Varieties: Thai-Lessard, Kampong Mauve.

Antidesma bunius

Antidesma bunius is a large shrub or small tree native to Malaysia. It grows in full sun or semi-shade, and requires regular watering when grown as a potted plant in cold regions. It is suitable for planting in USDA zones 9-11, and grows to between 5-10 feet when a shrub, and 10-20 feet when a small tree.

The fruits of Antidesma bunius are a great source of nutrients and are renowned for their health benefits. Each bush can produce 20-30 fruits per cluster during the months of July through September. The fruits appear in red, dark purple, and black colors, and they have a unique, slightly acidic flavor. These fruits are enjoyed by birds, and can be used to make jams, jellies, and vine, as well as other beverages. Although they are edible, the juices can stain fingers and clothing if not handled carefully.

Antidesma bunius is closely related to another species known as Antidesma platyphyllum, which produces larger fruits in either purple or black colors. These fruits are also enjoyed by birds and are edible for humans.

Overall, Antidesma bunius is a hardy and productive shrub or small tree with many beneficial health benefits. It is easy to grow and maintain and produces a large number of fruits from July through September. Because of this, it is a great addition to any garden.

Arachis hypogaea

Arachis hypogaea, also known as the peanut, is a native South American plant that grows to a height of 2-5 feet. It is a small flowering shrub or groundcover that thrives in full sun or semi-shade and requires moderate amounts of water. This plant has yellow and orange flowers which often attract insects. In addition to being a popular snack food, peanuts have a variety of uses including being a source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain antioxidants and are a good source of dietary fiber and monounsaturated fatty acids.

A single peanut plant can produce up to 40 pods, each of which contains 2-5 peanuts. Peanut plants prefer loose, well-draining soil and require moisture during their growing season. However, during the last six weeks of growth, the amount of water should be reduced to help the pods mature quickly. Peanuts can be grown outside in USDA plant hardiness zones 9-11, but in colder regions they are usually grown in pots.

Arachis hypogaea, the edible peanut, is closely related to the ornamental peanut, Arachis glabrata. Both species have unique reproductive biology in which the seed-containing pods mature underground rather than above ground as in most legumes. The flowers self-pollinate and after pollination, the young pod is sent down on a stalk and pushed into the ground where it matures. Peanuts are used to produce a variety of products including oil for cooking, margarine, and salads, and can be used in pharmaceuticals, soaps, and lubricants. The oil cake, a high-protein livestock feed, may also be consumed by humans. Other products made from peanuts include dyes, ice cream, massage oil, paints, and peanut milk. Peanuts can be eaten raw, roasted and salted, chopped in confectioneries, or made into peanut butter. The young pods and leaves of the plant can also be eaten as a vegetable.