Annona Cherimola Seeds (Cherimoya)

Annona cherimola (Cherimoya)

Habitat: Cherimoya trees thrive in subtropical highlands and cool, frost-free tropical areas. Native to Ecuador and Peru, it prefers altitudes between 1,300 and 2,400 meters where temperatures remain mild year-round. Cherimoya grows best in well-drained, fertile soils, and requires moderate rainfall or irrigation during its growing season.

Outstanding Features: Cherimoya is best known for its large, green, heart-shaped fruit with a rough or smooth skin, depending on the variety. The flesh of the fruit is white and creamy, with a sweet flavor that is a blend of banana, pineapple, and strawberry. The tree’s broad, dark green leaves are also a prominent feature, providing dense foliage. Its fragrant flowers are pale green and are pollinated by beetles or hand-pollination in cultivation.

General Appearance: Annona cherimola is a small tree or shrub, growing to about 15 to 30 feet in height. It has a short, rounded trunk with a branching habit. The leaves are elliptical to lance-shaped, up to 10 inches long, and slightly hairy on the underside. The fruit is typically heart-shaped or oval, weighing up to 500 grams, with a scaly, green exterior. Inside, the fruit contains numerous smooth black seeds embedded in its sweet, white pulp. The flowers are small and fragrant, with three fleshy, light green petals.

Applications: Cherimoya fruit is highly valued for its sweet, custard-like flesh and is consumed fresh, in fruit salads, or as a dessert ingredient. The pulp is also used in smoothies, ice creams, and beverages. In traditional medicine, different parts of the tree are used for their potential medicinal properties, including as an insecticide or in treatments for digestive disorders. The tree is also grown ornamentally in gardens and orchards for its attractive foliage and fruit.

Adaptability: Cherimoya trees are well-adapted to subtropical climates but can also tolerate cooler temperatures compared to other tropical fruit trees. They prefer full sun to partial shade and require protection from frost, as freezing temperatures can damage the tree.The tree requires well-drained soils and benefits from regular irrigation during dry periods. Its adaptability to cooler subtropical climates makes it a suitable fruit tree for a variety of growing conditions outside the tropics.