Beach Sugar Apple
Annona salzmannii

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

Beach sugar apple or Annona salzmannii is a tropical, evergreen tree native to Brazil that can grow up to 12 - 15 m tall. It has an elongated, fairly open crown. The leaves are thick and leathery. Near the axils of the leaves are the flowers that occur either alone or in pairs. The heart-shaped, orange fruit of beach sugar apple has a very sweet, succulent pulp that is fibreless and very appetizing. It can be eaten raw, fresh from the tree. The wood is used for fuel and charcoal-making.

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. 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.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Dry forest areas on tree-covered sand dunes and in coastal forests.

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Brazil, South America.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

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.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Other uses rating: Low (2/5). Other Uses: The wood is light in weight, with moderate resistance to insect attack, difficult to saw and cut. It is only used for fuel and to make charcoal.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A plant of lowland tropical areas. Prefers a sunny position. Prefers a well-drained, sandy soil. Succeeds on saline soils.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Beach sugar apple or Annona salzmannii

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.