Beach sugar apple, Beach araticum
Annona salzmannii

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 12-15 m tall. The trunk is almost smooth. The young branches have a rust coloured covering. The leaves are simple and thick. They are leathery and paler underneath. They are 9-12 cm long and the edges turn under. The flowers occur singly or in pairs. They are near the axils of leaves. They are fleshy. The fruit are fleshy and heart shaped. They can weigh 500 g. The fruit are yellow-green and almost smooth. There are 70-80 seeds. The flesh is succulent and sweet.

There are about 100-150 Annona species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the forest covered sand dunes in Brazil. It grows from sea level to 100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Cuba, South America, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Fruit are enjoyed. The fruit is like soursop but smaller and not as popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The pulp is washed off the seeds. The seeds have a hard seed coat which should be scratched to enhance germination. Seeds should be planted fresh. They germinate in 40-50 days.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Annona impressivenia Saff. ex R. E. Fr.;