Sugar Apple, Sweetsop, Custard Apple

Annona squamosa

Physical Characteristics

Annona squamosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Caribbean.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw. The sweet and creamy fruits are highly regarded as a dessert fruit[ 301 ]. They can also be used to make sherbet, ice cream, jellies etc[ 301 ]. The fruit is up to 10cm in diameter[ 200 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Antirheumatic Astringent Cancer Dysentery Purgative Sedative Vermifuge Leaves, shoots, bark and roots have been reported to have medicinal properties. They are all strongly astringent and are used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. The green fruits, seeds and leaves have effective vermicidal properties. The young shoots, combined with peppermint, are used in the West Indies to relieve colds and chills. In Cuba, the leaves are taken to lower uric acid levels in the blood. The unripe fruit is astringent. The root is a drastic purgative. The bark and leaves, combined with those of Annona muricata, are used in a sedative infusion. An infusion of the leaves and fruit is used to aid digestion and treat rheumatism. An oil distilled from the leaves is applied to the head for treating sleeplessness. The powdered seeds are an excellent vermifuge. Extracts of the plant have shown anticancer activity.

Known Hazards

The seeds, leaves and roots are poisonous. Both an alkaloid, and hydrocyanic acid have been shown to occur in these parts of the plant.