Annona cherimola (Cherimola, Custard apple)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > magnoliids > Order: Magnoliales > Family: Annonaceae > Genus: Annona

The Cherimola is a small tree with scaly-looking fruits that are about 10-12 cm in diameter. It is native to the subtropical highlands of Peru and Ecuador and is widely cultivated in Central America as well as subtropical and tropical regions elsewhere. The flesh of the fruit is eaten raw or used ice cream, milkshakes, jams, jellies and yoghurt. As the fruits do not last long once picked, they are mainly sold on local markets. Although Cherimola has been grown in southern Africa, it is rarely encountered in this region.

Publications

• van Wyk, B.-E. 2005. Food Plants of the World - Identification, Culinary Uses and Nutritional Value. Briza, Pretoria.