Annona salzmannii
A.DC.
Beach Sugar Apple
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(c) vitordematos12, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by vitordematos12
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(c) Geovane Siqueira, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Geovane Siqueira
iNaturalist· cc-by-sa
(c) vitordematos12, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by vitordematos12
Description
Annona salzmannii is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. The succulent pulp is very sweet, fibreless and very tasty. The green skinned fruit can be 10cm long and 9cm wide, weighing up to 450g.
Distribution
S. America - eastern Brazil.
Where It Grows
SOUTHERN AMERICA: Brazil, Bahia,
Cultivation
A plant of lowland tropical areas. Prefers a sunny position. Prefers a well-drained, sandy soil. Succeeds on saline soils. When is it harvested? Late Autumn to Early Winter. When does it flower? Late Spring to Early Summer. Are there any agroforestry uses? How fast does it grow? Cherimoya has a moderate growth rate and can take about 3 to 4 years to start producing fruit after planting.
Propagation
Seed - it has a very hard outer layer and germinates much more easily if scarified. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seeds in individual containers in a lightly shaded position. Germination rates of scarified seeds can above 95%, with the seeds sprouting within 40 - 50 days.
Other Uses
Charcoal Fuel. Other uses rating: Medium (3/5). Cherimoya can be used in agroforestry systems as a fruit tree. It provides shade and can be integrated into diverse cropping systems. The wood is light in weight, with moderate resistance to insect attack, and difficult to saw and cut. It is only used for fuel and to make charcoal.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Beach sugar apple or Annona salzmannii
