Annona glabra

Pond apple

 

                                                                               

Pomme des marais, mamen, kachiman, annone des marais, cochon, bwa flo, monkey apple, pond apple, alligator apple, corkwood, dog apple, bullock’s heart, kaitambo, mangrove annona, cayur, coyur, cayure, corcho, coeazon cimarrón, bunya, bagá de Cuba, …

 

Family

 

ANNONACEAE

 

Origin

 

Tropical America

 

Description 

 

This is a medium-sized tree to 40-50ft. Pond apple's can stand immense flooding and spend weeks at a time with their roots under water. 

The trunk is narrowly buttressed at the base, leaves are oblong-elliptical and shiny dark green on the top.

Flowers are yellowish green with fleshy petals. Fruits are large, green and heart-shaped, yellow when ripe.

Flowering from July to November and from November to March.

  

Habitat

 

Swamp or moist sand, mangrove

 

Propagation

Seeds

 

Culture and care
 

A. glabra can behave as a 'freshwater or brackish water mangrove' as it can survive root immersion at high tide and prolonged freshwater flooding. Seedlings require ample soil moisture and sunlight to survive.

He can survive to 26-28°F. He like sandy soils, water and full sun.

Uses

 

- Ornemental use 

 

Terrarium, pond, paludarium

 

- Alimentary use 

 

The pond apple is usually eaten raw, but sometimes made into jellies, beverages and wine.

 

- Other uses

 

The pond apple is very useful as a rootstock for other Annona species.

 

Etymology

 

 

The Annona name comes from the Taino word « menona », which design this type of tree. Glabra means glabrous, without hairs, like the fruit.