Cherimoya, Custard Apple

Annona cherimola

Physical Characteristics

Annona cherimola is a deciduous Tree growing to 9 m (29ft) by 9 m (29ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Western S. America - Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw. A delicious flavour, tasting like a cross between a banana and a pineapple[ 301 ]. The white flesh of the ripe cherimoya is sweet, juicy and very fragrant. It is most commonly eaten out of-hand or scooped with a spoon from the cut open fruit[ 303 ]. It can also be used in making ice cream, custard, cakes etc[ 301 ]. The fruit is up to 20cm x 10cm and has a white pulp[ 200 ].

Medicinal Uses

Rural people toast, peel and pulverize 1 or 2 seeds and take the powder with water or milk as a potent emetic and cathartic. Mixed with grease, the powder is applied on parasitic skin disorders[ 303 ]. A decoction of the skin of the fruit is taken to relieve pneumonia[ 303 ].

Known Hazards

Blindness can result from the juice of the crushed seeds coming in contact with the eyes[ 303 ]. The seeds and twigs contain several alkaloids including ( + )-reticuline, (-)-anonaine, liriodenine, and lanuginosine. Human ingestion of 0.15 g of the dark-yellow resin isolated from the seeds produces symptoms resembling the effects of atropine[ 303 ].(Seed is poisonous if ingested)