Soursop (Annona muricata, Sp. Pl.: 536 (1753))

Family: Annonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 536 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Annona

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: S. Mexico to S. Trop. America

Description

Soursop, scientifically known as Annona muricata, is a tropical fruit-bearing tree belonging to the family Annonaceae. Recognized for its unique flavor that merges the tastes of strawberry, pineapple, and citrus, this fruit is a culinary and cultural staple from southern Mexico to the southern tropical regions of America.

First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, Soursop has garnered attention not only for its delectable fruit but also for its potential health benefits and traditional medicinal uses. The tree thrives in warm, humid climates and typically reaches heights of 8-10 meters, boasting dark green, glossy leaves and large, heart-shaped fruits adorned with soft, spiky skin.

The creamy, white pulp of Soursop is often consumed fresh or used in a variety of preparations such as juices, ice creams, and desserts. Beyond its culinary appeal, Annona muricata is lauded in various cultures for its purported medicinal properties. Its leaves, bark, seeds, and fruit have been employed in traditional remedies aimed at treating ailments ranging from digestive issues to fever.

Given its widespread native habitat, the Soursop tree is well-adapted to the diverse conditions of tropical America. It flourishes in rich, well-drained soils and can often be found in residential gardens, where its broad canopy provides welcome shade.

The intricate relationship between Soursop and its environment underscores the plant’s ecological significance. As a member of the Annonaceae family, it contributes to the rich biodiversity of tropical ecosystems and supports a variety of wildlife.

With its multifaceted applications and extensive history, the Soursop remains a revered species, capturing the interest of horticulturists, chefs, and natural medicine practitioners alike. Whether appreciated for its delightful flavor or its potential therapeutic benefits, Annona muricata continues to thrive as a symbol of the lush tropics from which it hails.

Common Names

Fra: cachiman épineux, corossolier, grand corossol, anone, corossol épineux
Deu: sauersack, stachelannone
Eng: soursop
Spa: anona, guanaba, guanábana, guanábano
Por: araticum-de-comer, araticum-manso, areticum, graveóla, graviola, graviola-do-norte, jaca-de-pobre, jaca-do-pará
Tgl: guanabano, guayabáno, guiábano, guyábana
Swe: taggannona
Nld: zuurzak
Khm: ទៀបបារាំង
En: Soursop, Graviola, Nangka ènglan, Guanabana, Monkey Apple, Corossol, Prickly custard apple, Wild soursop
Am: ግሽጣ
Ar: قشطة شائكة
Hy: Գուանուբանա
Eu: Guanabano
Bn: লক্ষ্মণ ফল
My: ဒူးရင်းဩဇာ
Ca: Guanabaner
Zh: 刺果番荔枝, 刺番荔枝
Hr: Graviola
Cs: Anona ostnitá
Dv: އަނޯނާ
Nl: Zuurzak
Eo: Pikilanono
Fi: Oka-annoona
Fr: Anone, Grand corossol, Cachiman épineux, Corossol épineux, Corossolier, Cachiman épineux, Caichemantier, Coeur de boeuf, Corossol, Epineux, Cachiman pineux, Sapoty, Sapotille
De: Sauersack, Stachelannone, Anona, Flashendaum, Stachel anone, Stachliger
El: Γουανάμπανα
Gn: Abaticú
Ht: Kowosòl
Hu: Szúrszop
Id: Sirsak
Jv: Nangka sabrang
Kk: Аннона, Гуанабана
Km: ទៀបបារាំង
Ko: 그라비올라
Ln: Mondenge
Lt: Dygliuotoji anona
Ms: Durian belanda
Ml: മുള്ളാത്ത
Or: ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମଣଫଳ
Fa: ساپادیل
Pl: Flaszowiec miękkociernisty
Pt: Graviola, Graveóla, Jaca de Pobre, Araticum-de-comer, Araticum-manso, Areticum, Graviola-do-norte, Jaca-de-pobre, Jaca-do-pará, Anona, Coração de rainha, Curassol, Pinha azeda
Pt-br: Coração-de-rainha, Jaca-do-Pará, Araticum-grande, Araticum-manso, Jaca-de-pobre
Qu: Wanapana
Ru: Сметанное яблоко
Sr: Anona muricate
Si: කටු අනෝදා
Sk: Anona mäkkoostnatá
Es: Anona, Guanábana, Guanábano, Guanaba, Catche, Catoche, Catuche, Zapote agrio
Su: Sirsak
Sw: Mstafeli
Sv: Taggannona
Tl: Guyabano, Guanabano, Guayabáno, Guiábano, Guyábana
Zh-tw: 刺番荔枝
Ta: முள்ளு சீதா
Th: ทุเรียนเทศ
To: ʻĀpele
Uk: Соу-сеп
Vi: Mãng cầu Xiêm

Synonyms

• Annona muricata f. mirabilis (R.E.Fr.)
• Annona bonplandiana (Kunth)
• Annona muricata var. borinquensis (Morales)
• Annona cearaensis (Barb.Rodr.)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Santa Cruz Is. (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Vanuatu (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (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 Jan 19, 2022 by rey b (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by J F (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Stevenazzi Fabio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 1988 by herve rey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2017 by Felix BASTARAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Vinicius Saragiotto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Vinicius Saragiotto (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by vaz adna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Hasan Sabran (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Ronny Rosillette (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Gutiérrez Diego (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Emile Faye (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2022 by DESMAREST Elodie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Izhamwong (cc-by)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2019 by zew zew (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2021 by Obafemi Ajibulu (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 11, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

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

Taken Mar 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2017 by Felix BASTARAUD (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5407273)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:14308-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Annona muricata L.)

Specifications

Growth

Sowing: Direct seed indoors or use semi-ripe cuttings

Spread: {‘cm’: 400}