Annona mucosa aka Wild Sweetsop

Annona mucosa is a tropical fruit tree in the Annonaceae family. Its common names include rollinia, biribá, and wild sweetsop. Older sources call it Rollinia mucosa or Rollinia deliciosa. Its native range runs from Mexico through Central and South America. It grows in warm, wet lowland forests and forest edges. Wild trees also grow in open patches of secondary forest. People grow it for fruit across the humid tropics.

This fast-growing evergreen has a dense crown. Unpruned trees tend to grow upright. Growers keep trees at 13–26 feet (4–8 metres) through pruning. Other garden references give a height and spread of 39 feet (12 metres). Wild trees reach 66 feet (20 metres), sometimes 82 feet (25 metres). The leaves grow in an alternate pattern on short stalks. They are long, narrow, thin, and pointed at the tip. Their upper face is dark green, with paler green beneath. Fine hairs grow beneath the leaves, mainly along the veins.

The flowers grow alone or in small groups. They range from green to yellowish white. Each flower has both male and female parts. The female phase comes first, which helps pollen pass between trees. Flowers give off a sweet, yeasty scent during this phase. Beetles and other insects pollinate them. Trees grown from seed may fruit after three to four years. The yellow fruit can reach about six inches across. Its soft, juicy flesh has a sweet taste and strong scent. People eat it fresh or use it in juice. They also add it to ice cream, pies, and cakes.

Grow this tree in full sun with moist, fertile soil. Good drainage matters, though it accepts sand, loam, and clay. It tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. It needs a hot, humid climate and suffers from frost. PFAF places it in USDA zones 10–12. UF/IFAS reports successful cultivation in south Florida. There, major pests and diseases seldom cause problems. The tree attracts wildlife and suits food-forest plantings.

The hard seeds serve as beads and as an insecticide. People use the wood for boxes, linings, and small structures. The wood is strong but lacks lasting durability. Folk medicine uses the leaves for rheumatism. This reported use does not establish that treatment works. The sources list no known hazards, but give no pet-safety assessment. Useful Tropical Plants reports a Least Concern conservation status. UF/IFAS does not regard the species as invasive in Florida.