CUSTARD APPLE – Seedling

Annona reticulata is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the plant family Annonaceae.^[5] It is best known for its fruit, called custard apple,^[2] a common name shared with fruits of several other species in the same genus: A. cherimola^[6] and A. squamosa.^[7] Other English common names include ox heart and bullock’s heart.^[2][8] The fruit is sweet and useful in preparation of desserts, but is generally less popular for eating than that of A. cherimola.^[9]

It is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree reaching 8–10 metres (26–33 ft) tall with an open, irregular crown.^[8][9]

The slender leaves are hairless, straight and pointed at the apex (in some varieties wrinkled), 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long and 2–7 cm (1–3 in) wide.^[8][9] The yellow-green flowers are generally in clusters of three or four 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) diameter, with three long outer petals and three very small inner ones.^[8][9] Its pollen is shed as permanent tetrads.^[10]

The fruits vary in shape, heart-shaped, spherical, oblong or irregular.^[8][9] The size ranges from 7–12 cm (3–4+1⁄2 in), depending on the cultivar. When ripe, the exterior of the fruit is brown or yellowish, with red highlights and a varying degree of reticulation, depending again on the variety. The flesh, which is white and pink with numerous black seeds, varies from juicy and very aromatic to hard with a repulsive taste.^[8][9] The flavor is sweet and pleasant, akin to the taste of ‘traditional’ custard.^[9]