Araticu, Sylvan annona
Annona sylvatica

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-8 m high. The trunk is 30-40 cm across. The young growth in rusty and hairy coloured. The leaves are thin and simple. They vary in shape. They are 8-12 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers occur singly or in groups or 2-3. The fruit are compound with fleshy pulp and many seeds.

It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Brazil in highland semi-deciduous forest. It grows from sea level up to about 1,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Mexico, South America, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The large number of seeds limit the attractiveness of the fruit. It is occasionally cultivated as a food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The seeds are removed from the very ripe fruit by rubbing and washing. Seeds only store fro about 3 months. The seeds are scratched before sowing to improve germination. Seeds germinate in 30-60 days. The seedlings can be transplanted into the field after 6 months.

Plants grow rapidly. They can be 3.5 m high in 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Araticum alvadio, Araticum-cagao-macho, Araticum apo, Araticum-da-mata, Araticum-do-mato, Araticum-do-moro, Araticum-grande, Bananinha, Biriba, Corossols, Cortica-amarela, Cortica, Cortica de comer, Embira-de-araticum, Embira, Pasmada-do-mato, Pinha

Synonyms

Annona exalbida Vellozo; Annona fagifolia A. F. C. P. de Saint-Hilaire & Tulasne; Annona silvestris Vellozo; Annona sylvatica A. St-Hil.; Rollinia exalbida (Vellozo) Martius; Rollinia fagifolia A. F. C. P. de Saint-Hilair; Rollinia sylvatica (A.St-Hil.) Mart.;