Annona stenophylla

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A low bush. It has underground stems or rhizomes. It grows 1 m high. The stems are usually annual and simple. The leaves are 4-18 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The veins are orange or red. The flowers occur singly. The fruit are 2-3 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. There are several seeds. They are 7-9 mm long. It has large fruit.

There are about 100-150 Annona species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in sandy or burnt out ground. In Tanzania it grows between 500-1,600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw or cooked. The ripe fruit are soaked in water then squeezed and filtered for juice.

They are a staple food of the Bushmen. The fruit are enjoyed by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Maroro, Mfila, Mshofu, Mtopetope, Muroro, Omutyaalale

Synonyms

Annona friesii Robyns & Ghesq.; Annona friesii var. elongata Robyns & Ghesq.; Annona stenophylla var. nana R. E. Fr.;