Araticum, Leathery annona
Annona coriacea

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 3-6 m high. It can be taller. The trunk is 20-30 cm across. The leaves are simple and leathery. They are softly hairy underneath. The leaves are 9-15 cm long and 7-12 cm wide. The flowers occur singly. The fruit is a multiple fleshy fruit. It is heart shaped and fleshy.

The oil from the leaves is used as medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Brazil in the savannah. It will grow in poor soils. It will grow in sandy, well-drained soils. It grows from 80-1,120 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil (country/location of origin), Paraguay, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or made into juice. They are used for ice-cream. Caution: The fruit are somewhat laxative.

The fruit are not often eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The fruit are allowed to become very ripe before the seeds are washed from the pulp. Seeds will not store well for longer than 6 months. The seed should be scratched before sowing to break the hard seed coat. Seeds germinate in 30-60 days. The seedlings need good sun and can be transplanted when 30 cm high.

The growth rate is slow but it can produce fruit when 2 years old.

Its other names

Local names

Araticum-de-campo, Araticum-liso, Marolinho, Marolo, Pinha-do-cerrado

Synonyms

Annona coriacea var. cuneata R. E. Fr.; Annona geraensis Barb.Rodr.;