Annona liebmanniana aka Hardshell Custard Apple

Annona liebmanniana is an evergreen fruit tree in the Annonaceae family. Its common names include posh-te and hardshell custard-apple. Kew places its native range from southern Mexico to Guatemala. Other sources also list Honduras within its range. It grows in wet tropical forests, often near sea level. Records reach about 5,906 feet [1,800 metres] above sea level. Useful Tropical Plants reports a 2013 Least Concern assessment.

This fast-growing tree usually reaches 49–66 feet [15–20 metres]. Some trees reach 98 feet [30 metres], beyond the usual range. PFAF lists a spread of about 66 feet [20 metres]. The tree keeps its leaves throughout the year. Growers sometimes raise it for fruit within its native range. People also gather fruit from wild trees for local use. PFAF lists it as a tree for food forests. It also reports that the tree attracts wildlife.

The fruit has a thick outer skin and soft, cream-coloured flesh. It measures about 3–4 inches across and contains large seeds. These can reach about 0.8 inches in length. People eat the fruit raw, fresh from the tree. Sources describe its taste as rich, with banana and pineapple notes. Beetles and other insects pollinate the flowers. PFAF also lists the tree as self-fertile. PFAF reports no known medicinal uses or hazards. That hazard record does not establish that all parts are edible.

Warm, wet conditions suit this tree best. Its preferred daytime temperatures range from 23 to 26°C. Reported tolerance spans 8 to 32°C. Preferred yearly rainfall ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 millimetres. Young trees grow better with some shade. Older trees grow well in full sun. Moist sandy loam with good drainage suits it best. The preferred soil pH falls between 5.5 and 6.5. Sources report tolerance from pH 4.5 to 7. PFAF lists USDA zones 9–12 but also calls it frost tender. Exposed sites can leave the tree prone to wind damage.

PFAF describes seed sowing and semi-ripe cuttings as propagation methods. It recommends separate pots for seed, kept at about 21°C. Sow seeds no deeper than about 0.8 inches. Seed-grown plants usually retain the parent type, according to PFAF. The supplied evidence gives no species-specific pest or disease details. Wind exposure is the main physical problem it identifies.