Wild Sweetsop
Annona mucosa
Family: Annonaceae
What it is like
Native to tropical South America, Wild Sweetsop (Annona mucosa) belongs in the Annonaceae family. It is an evergreen tree with a low but dense crown and can reach up to 10 - 20 m tall when fully matured. The leaves are used in folk medicine as a remedy for rheumatism. The edible, yellow fruit has an excellent quality and can be used in ice cream, pies and cakes. The seeds have wide range of uses like as a material in making necklaces and bracelets, and as an insecticide. The wood is yellowish, medium-textured, hard and strong but not durable. The tree is fast growing and cannot tolerate frost. Fruiting starts when the tree is about 4 years old.
Annona mucosa is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 12
Where it is found
Lowland humid limestone forest from sea level to around 600 metres. Found mainly in the more open areas of secondary growth.
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Coming Soon
How it is used
Food
Rating: 5
Fruit - raw or cooked. Of excellent quality. The yellow fruits have a juicy, melting flesh of a very pleasant flavour, reminiscent of lemon meringue pie. Delicious. Usually eaten raw, they can also be used in ice cream, pies, cakes etc. The fruit can be up to 15cm wide.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The leaves are utilized in folk medicine as a treatment against rheumatism.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Other
Rating: 2
Other uses rating: Low (2/5). Other Uses The seeds are very hard. They are used as beads in necklaces and bracelets. The seeds are used as an insecticide. The yellowish wood is medium-textured, straight grained, heavy in one report, but light in another, hard and strong. It has poor mechanical properties and is not durable. It is used for small constructions, making boxes and linings.
Beads: Used as necklaces etc.
Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
A plant of the hot, humid, tropical lowlands. Plants are very susceptible to frost damage. Prefers a fertile, well-drained soil and a position in full sun. A fast-growing tree. Plants can commence bearing fruit when about 4 years old. Plants are becoming threatened in the wild due to deforestation.
Propagating it: The seed of many species in this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. 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 seed in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected from treated seeds. When the seedlings are 6 - 8cm tall, pot them up into individual containers. Layering. Grafting.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Wild Sweetsop (Annona mucosa)
Synonyms
Rollinia deliciosa Saff. Rollinia mucosa (Jacq.) Baill. Rollinia orthopetala A.DC. Rollinia pulchrin