Soncoya
Annona purpurea

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It can grow 6-7 m high. It has a short trunk 45 cm across. The branches are spreading and have a rusty woolly covering when young. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are wavy and narrowly oval. They are 20-30 cm long by 10-14 cm wide. The flowers have a strong scent. The flowers occur singly and are fleshy. They are large and cone shaped. The fruit are large and brown. They are 15-20 cm across. They have sweet aromatic pulp. The flesh is bright orange and soft. There are soft spines on the skin.

There are about 100-150 Annona species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It can tolerate drought, but does best with lots of moisture. It cannot stand waterlogging. It suits the tropical lowlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Belize, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Philippines, North America, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used to produce a drink by straining the juice. The flowers and leaves are used in soups.

It is also cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Chincua, Chincuya, Gallina, Gorda, Ilama, Matimba, Sincuya, Toreta

Synonyms

Annona involucrata Baill.; Annona manirote HBK.; Annona prestoei Hemsl.;