Annona muricata aka Soursop

Annona muricata, also known as soursop, graviola, guyabano, or guanábana, is a tropical evergreen tree native to the Americas and the Caribbean. It can grow up to 7 meters tall with a diameter of up to 15cm and has long, narrow, slightly shiny leaves. The large flowers are often solitary or in groups of three. The fruit is ovoid, spiny, and fragrant, with a flavor described as a combination of strawberries and apple with sour citrus notes and a creamy texture reminiscent of banana. Soursop is adapted to areas with high humidity and relatively warm winters, and temperatures below 5°C can cause damage to leaves and small branches. It is widely propagated and can tolerate poor soil and a humid climate. The fruit is consumed raw when fully ripe or used as a vegetable when immature. The leaves can be crushed and used as a remedy for distension, dyspepsia, scabies, skin diseases, rheumatism, coughs, colds, and to maturate boils and abscesses. They also have sleep-inducing properties and can be placed under the pillow. Soursop has been researched for its medicinal properties and has been shown to have uterotonic, antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. It has also been used to prevent or cure malaria and amoeba, treat parasitic diseases, scurvy, fever, and as a vermifuge. The bark can be used to stop bleeding on wounds, and other plant parts can be used to treat headache, hypertension, heart problems, anxiety attacks, chest pains, nerve disorders, diarrhea, and convulsions. Soursop is widely promoted as an alternative cancer treatment, but there is no reliable medical evidence to support this claim. The plant is invasive in Oceania. Soursop is a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and thrives in direct light and regular watering. It belongs to the Annona genus and is native to Central and Northwestern South America.