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custard apple

Scientific Name: Annona reticulata

Family: Annonaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Custard Apple: A Tropical Delight

The term "custard apple" is commonly used to refer to both the fruit and the tree, Annona reticulata, that bears it. It may also be applied to similar fruits from related species within the Annonaceae family.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • The fruit contains large, dark brown seeds that are considered inedible.

Synonyms and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Annona reticulata
  • Common Names: Custard apple, sugar-apple, sweet sop, buddha’s head fruit, cherimoya (sometimes used loosely). It is also known as seetha pazham (in Tamil)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Annonaceae
  • General description indicates the custard apple falls within the "Annonaceae, a family of shrubs, woody vines, and small trees of the tropics."

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the New World tropics and Florida.
  • Widely grown across the world.
  • Subtropical areas of Australia, particularly Queensland.
  • Taiwan has the largest area in the world cultivating the custard apple.
  • Spain is a major producer.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The custard apple tree is described as erect, not especially attractive, with a rounded or spreading crown.
  • Trunk is typically 10 to 14 inches (25-35 cm) thick.
  • The leaves are deciduous, alternate, oblong or... (description incomplete in source text).
  • The fruit is compound, measuring 3 to 6 inches (8-16 cm) in diameter.
  • Some varieties have pale green, knobbly skin. Other varieties resemble a pine cone and have grey-green, scaly skin.
  • Inside the fruit contains creamy flesh.

Quirky Facts

  • Some people describe eating custard apple right out of the fridge as feeling like eating ice cream.
  • One source mentions that Spain is the world's main producer of custard apples, which might be surprising to some.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • There is a mention of "Latex-vegetable syndrome due to custard apple and aubergine".

Other Notes

  • It's mentioned that Queensland grows half of Australia's custard apples, but most of the fruit is sent interstate or overseas.
  • Australian custard apples are marketed under the internationally registered Jadefruit brand and Sweet Nature brand

Resources and Further Information

  • Cherimoya Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherimoya
  • Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage. N. H. IV, Faridabad, Haryana. National Institute of Plant Health Management.