Family: Annonaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 537 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Annona
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Mexico to Colombia
Description
The Custard-apple, scientifically known as Annona squamosa, is a remarkable fruit-bearing tree that is highly valued for its delicious and unique fruit. This species falls within the Annonaceae family and has its origins stretching from Mexico down to Colombia. The botanical authority L. documented this species in his seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” in 1753, underscoring its long-standing recognition in scientific literature.
Annona squamosa, the custard-apple, is particularly well-regarded for its sweet, fragrant, and creamy-textured fruit, which is often used in various culinary applications across its native regions. The tree thrives in tropical climates and is often cultivated for both its fruit and ornamental value. The custard-apple has a distinctive appearance, with a scaly green exterior and segmented flesh that can be easily separated by hand.
Beyond its delectable fruit, the custard-apple holds medicinal and nutritional benefits. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to the diet. Various parts of the plant, including leaves and seeds, are also used in traditional medicine practices within its native range.
In conclusion, the custard-apple is a notable and cherished species within the regions of Mexico to Colombia. Its enduring popularity and utility, coupled with its historical documentation by L., highlight its significant role in both botanical study and everyday life in tropical regions.
Common Names
Eng: custard apple, custard-apple, sugar apple, sugar-apple, sweet sop, sweetsop, scopapel
Fra: pomme cannelle, annone écailleuse, cachiman cannelle, pomme canelle
Deu: rahmapfel, schuppenannone, süßsack, zimtapfel, zuckerapfel
Spa: anon, anona blanca, anón, chirimoyo, fruta de condesa, fruta del conde
Por: ata, ateira, fruta-de-condessa, fruta-do-conde, fruteira-de-conde, fruto-de-condessa, pinha, pinha-da-bahia
Nld: kaneelappel
Ita: mela canella, pomo canella
Swe: sockerannona
En: Custard-apple, Sugar-apple, Sweetsop, Sugar apple, Custard-pineapple, Sugar-pineapple, Sarkajâ, Silik, Custard apple, Sweet sop, Scopapel, Anón, Ata
Am: ግሽጣ
Ar: قشطة صدفية
Bm: Jiri
Bn: আতা
Bg: Захарна ябълка
My: သြဇာပင်
Ch: Åtes
Zh: Fan li zhi, 番荔枝, 釋迦
Cs: Anona šupinatá
Dv: ދިވެހި އަތަ
Nl: Kaneelappel, Zoetzak
Eo: Sukerpomo
Fi: Sokeriannoona
Fr: Pomme canelle, Cachiman cannelle, Annone écailleuse, Pomme cannelle, Attier, Anone écailleuse, Atte, Corossolier écailleux, Cachiman cochon, Zatte
De: Rahmapfel, Süßsack, Zimtapfel, Zuckerapfel, Schuppenannone, Kanelapfel
El: Αννώνη η φολιδωτή
Gu: સીતાફળ
Ht: Kachiman kanèl
He: אנונה קשקשית
Hi: शरीफा
Hu: Gyömbéralma
Id: Srikaya
It: Mela canella, Pomo canella
Jv: Srikaya
Kn: ಸೀತಾಫಲ
Ko: 아노나
Lt: Žvynuotoji anona
Mg: Zaty
Ms: Buah Nona
Ml: സീതപ്പഴം
Ne: सरीफा
Pa: ਸੀਤਾ ਫਲ
Fa: قشطه صدفی
Pl: Flaszowiec łuskowaty
Pt: Ata, Atta, Fruta do conde, Pinha, Fruta-pinha, Ateira, Fruta-de-condessa, Fruta-do-conde, Fruteira-de-conde, Fruto-de-condessa, Pinha-da-bahia, Fruta da condessa, Fruta de conde
Pt-br: Fruta-do-conde, Pinha
Qu: Saramuyu
Ru: Сахарное яблоко
Es: Anón, Anona blanca, Chirimoyo, Fruta de condesa, Fruta del conde, Saramuyo, Anon, Anona, Chirimoya, Anonillo, Atta del Brasil, Rinón
Su: Sarikaya
Sw: Mtopetope
Sv: Sockerannona
Tl: Atis
Ty: Tapotapo
Zh-tw: 番荔枝
Ta: சீதாப் பழம்
Te: చక్కెర సీతాఫలం
Th: น้อยหน่า
Zh-hant: 釋迦
Uk: Цукрове яблуко
Vi: Na
Synonyms
- Xylopia glabra (L.)
- Xylopicron glabrum ((L.) Crantz)
- Annona squamosa f. parvifolia (Kuntze)
- Annona glabra (Forssk.)
- Annona cinerea (Dunal)
- Annona forsskalii (DC.)
- Annona distincta (Raeusch.)
- Xylopia frutescens (Sieber ex C.Presl)
Distribution
- Belize (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Andaman Is. (introduced)
- Aruba (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Central African Repu (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Eritrea (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gambia (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Laccadive Is. (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marquesas (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Nauru (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- Nicobar Is. (introduced)
- Northern Territory (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Saudi Arabia (introduced)
- Senegal (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Sulawesi (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
- Yemen (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken May 17, 2018 by christiane Fazer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2021 by am (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2018 by christiane Fazer (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 25, 2021 by Velayutham R (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Magnun Paula Pereira (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Olga Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 6, 2022 by João Alberto Canabrava (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2021 by Didac Pavón (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Jéssica Tauanne (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 3, 2020 by Daqui Plantas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 13, 2017 by vini (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2010 by EOL − Marie Fourdrigniez (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 28, 2020 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2019 by jim seychelles (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Kamaria Hassane (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2021 by hulleye (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 21, 2022 by jian shi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Morghanna Silkmoon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2020 by S R (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 9, 2021 by lucy nafis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 18, 2010 by EOL − Ton Rulkens (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Sep 17, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − S. Paulin KOURA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − S. Paulin KOURA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − S. Paulin KOURA (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:72319-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5407099)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Annona squamosa L.)