Botryodiplodia sp. - Crops for the Future

Figure 9: Annona squamosa
Figure 10: A red skinned variety
of Annona squamosa
6.2.1.4 Annona reticulata
DE Q. PINTO et al. (2005) considers that Annona reticulata is the most vigorous of the annona
species described in this report. MORTON (1987b) however, reports that both in tree and in
fruit the species is generally rated as the mediocre or “ugly duckling” species among the
prominent members of the genus Annona.
The common English name of Annona reticulata is bullock’s-heart or custard apple.
In the past many people thought that the origin of the custard apple is West India but today it
is proven that the plant is native to Central or northern South America (MORTON, 1987b, DE
Q. PINTO et al., 2005 and MAHDEEM, 1994). Today the tree is
found like the others afore described, in many tropical countries
around the world.
Annona reticulata grows well in tropical climates with cool
winter times and prefers a humid atmosphere. The tree is
tolerant to cold temperatures. According to MORTON (1987b) a
fully grown custard apple tree survives temperatures of 2.8 °C
without serious harm.
Figure 11: Annona
reticulata
The deciduous Annona reticulata tree is small and tender with an open and irregular crown
which can reach a height of 5 to 10 m. The alternate leaves are oblong or narrow-lanceolate,
dark-green and glabrous with a length of 10 to 25 cm and a width of 2 to 7 cm.
The flowers are similar in form to those of Annona squamosa and Annona cherimola. The
only different is that they are generally grown in drooping clusters with 2 to 10 flowers. The
0.1 to 1 kg heavy fruit is commonly heart-shaped but sometimes different like oval, lopsided
or nearly round (Figure 11). They are 8 to 15 cm in diameter, coriaceous and have a reddishyellow
surface colour with impressed lines above the carpel.
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