Corkwood (Annona glabra, Sp. Pl.: 537 (1753))

Family: Annonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 537 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Annona

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America, W. & WC. Trop. Africa

Description

Corkwood, scientifically recognized as Annona glabra, is a versatile plant celebrated for its broad geographic distribution and ecological significance. First documented in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this species belongs to the Annonaceae family, a lineage known for its diverse and economically valuable members.

Annona glabra thrives predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions across America, specifically covering a wide expanse from the southern United States through Central America, and extending into South America. Besides its New World presence, Corkwood is also found in Western and West-Central tropical Africa, demonstrating its adaptability to various climates and environments.

This plant is aptly named for its unique wood which remains buoyant in water, a feature that historically sparked its utilization in creating corks and other floating devices. Beyond its buoyant wood, Annona glabra is also distinguished by its glossy green leaves, aromatic flowers, and oblong fruits which are often consumed by local fauna.

Ecologically, Annona glabra plays a pivotal role. It is commonly found in wetland areas such as mangroves and swampy forest regions, where it contributes to the stabilization of these sensitive ecosystems. Its ability to thrive in waterlogged soils makes it invaluable in preventing soil erosion and supporting the habitat of numerous aquatic and semi-aquatic species.

In summary, Corkwood (Annona glabra) is an extraordinary plant with a rich history and significant environmental contributions. Its broad range across tropical and subtropical regions in America and Africa, coupled with its unique properties and ecological role, underscores its importance within the Annonaceae family and beyond.

Common Names

Deu: alligatorapfel, mangroven-annone, wasserapfel
Fra: annone des marais, cachiman cochon, pomme de caïman, pomme de serpent, corossol de la mer, corossolier des marais, coeur de boeuf
Msa: mata pelanduk, nona
Eng: alligator-apple, corkwood, cow-apple, mangrove anona, monkey-apple, pond apple, pond-apple, monkey apple
Swe: alligatoräpple
Spa: anón liso, bagá, cayuda, corcho, palo bobo
Por: araticum-cortiça, araticum-da-praia, araticum-de-jangada, araticum-do-brejo
En: Corkwood, Cow-apple, Alligator-apple, Mangrove anona, Pond-apple, Monkey-apple, Pond apple, Alligator apple, Annone des marais, Bullock’s heart, Cherimoyer, Corossolier des marais, Kaitambo, Kaitambu, Uto ni bulumakau, Uto ni mbulumakau, Monkey Apple, Shiningleaved Custard Ap, Alligatorapfel, Custard apple, Palo bobo
Bg: Гладка анона
Zh: 圆滑番荔枝, 圓滑番荔枝
Dv: ކަޅުހުއްތުމޭވާ
Fj: Kaitambo, Kaitambu, Uto ni bulumakau, Uto ni mbulumakau
Fi: Apinanannoona
Fr: Cachiman cochon, Corossol de la mer, Corossolier des marais, Annone des marais, Pomme de Caïman, Pomme de serpent, Coeur de Boeuf, Cayure, Pomme de Caïman, Bois flot, Corossol des marais, Guanamin, Mamain, None des marais, Cœur de bœuf, Guimanmin, Abriba grand bois
De: Mangroven-Annone, Wasserapfel, Alligatorapfel
Ms: Mata pelanduk, Nona
Ml: കാട്ടാത്ത
Fa: سیب مرداب
Pt: Araticum-do-brejo, Araticum-cortiça, Araticum-da-praia, Araticum-de-jangada, Araticum de rio, Araticum do bréjo, Araticurana
Ru: Аннона гладкая
Es: Anón liso, Cayuda, Corcho, Palo bobo, Bagá, Anon de puerco, Anona lisa, Anonillo cabuye, Cayur, Chirimoya cimarrona, Cortisso
Sv: Alligatoräpple
Zh-tw: 圓滑番荔枝
Zh-hant: 圓滑番荔枝
Uk: Аннона гладка
Vi: Bình bát

Synonyms

• Annona klainei var. moandensis (De Wild.)
• Annona australis (A.St.-Hil.)
• Annona laurifolia (Dunal)
• Annona uliginosa (Kunth)
• Annona palustris var. grandifolia (Mart.)
• Annona chrysocarpa (Lepr. ex Guill. & Perr.)
• Cassia ketschta (Hasselq.)
• Asimina arborea (Raf.)
• Annona palustris (L.)
• Annona peruviana (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Dunal)
• Annona klainei (Pierre ex Engl. & Diels)

Distribution

• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Central American Pac (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 28, 2012 by EOL − Reinaldo aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2021 by Schmidt Fernando da Luz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2020 by Chee Keong Chan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2020 by Chee Keong Chan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2020 by Chee Keong Chan (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 3, 2022 by ODENIR VISINTIN ROSSAFA GARCIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2020 by Grégory Montreuil (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2021 by Schmidt Fernando da Luz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2019 by Jimmy MERCIRIS (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2012 by EOL − Reinaldo aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2020 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2020 by Ricardo Muñoz (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Alexander Rodríguez (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 25, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Rapper Ouriço (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2020 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Other

Taken Oct 24, 2011 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2011 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2011 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2021 by Schmidt Fernando da Luz (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth! (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil from Brazil (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil from Brazil (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil from Brazil (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil from Brazil (cc-by)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5407100)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:72208-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Annona glabra L.)

Specifications

Growth