They measure roughly 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) to 2.8 centimetres (1.1 in) by 2 centimetres (0.79 in), and are sharply angled and tapering at the base. Inner petals are oval shaped and overlap. They are evenly thick, and are covered with long, slender, soft hairs externally and matted finely with soft hairs within. Outer petals meet at the edges without overlapping and are broadly ovate, 2.8 centimetres (1.1 in) to 3.3 centimetres (1.3 in) by 2.1 centimetres (0.83 in) to 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in), tapering to a point with a heart shaped base. Stalks for the individual flowers (pedicels) are stout and woody, minutely hairy to hairless and 15 millimetres (0.59 in) to 20 millimetres (0.79 in) with small bractlets nearer to the base which are densely hairy. They appear opposite from the leaves or as an extra from near the leaf stalk, each with one or two flowers, occasionally a third. įlower stalks (peduncles) are 2 millimetres (0.079 in) to 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long and woody. The leaf stalks are 4 millimetres (0.16 in) to 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long and without hairs. They are a glossy dark green with no hairs above, and paler and minutely hairy to no hairs below. Leaves are oblong to oval, 8 centimetres (3.1 in) to 16 centimetres (6.3 in) long and 3 centimetres (1.2 in) to 7 centimetres (2.8 in) wide. They eat the leaves voraciously and usually stick under the leaves to pupate.ĭescription Botanical drawing showing flower, leaves, and fruitĪnnona muricata is a small, upright, evergreen tree that can grow to about 30 feet (9.1 m) tall. Both tree and fruit were called catuche in some parts of Venezuela, but that word is currently less commonly used.Īnnona muricata is also the main host plant for tailed jay ( Graphium agamemnon) caterpillars. The annona muricata fruit is generally called guanábana in Hispanic America, and the tree is a guanábano. Annona muricata is native to the Caribbean and Central America but is now widely cultivated – and in some areas, becoming invasive – in tropical and subtropical climates throughout the world, such as India. The fruit is usually called soursop due to its slightly acidic taste when ripe. Annona muricata Īnnona muricata is a species of the genus Annona of the custard apple tree family, Annonaceae, which has edible fruit. Soursop is widely promoted (sometimes as 'graviola') as an alternative cancer treatment, but there is no reliable medical evidence it is effective for treating cancer or any disease. With an aroma similar to pineapple, the flavor of the fruit has been described as a combination of strawberries and apple with sour citrus flavor notes, contrasting with an underlying thick creamy texture reminiscent of banana. The fruit becomes dry and is no longer good for concentrate. The soursop is adapted to areas of high humidity and relatively warm winters temperatures below 5 ☌ (41 ☏) will cause damage to leaves and small branches, and temperatures below 3 ☌ (37 ☏) can be fatal.

It is in the same genus, Annona, as cherimoya and is in the Annonaceae family. It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean and is widely propagated. Soursop (also called graviola, guyabano, and in Hispanic America, guanábana) is the fruit of Annona muricata, a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree.

Nectar fruit