Annona squamosa aka Sugar Apple

Annona squamosa is a small fruit tree called sugar apple or sweetsop. It belongs to the Annonaceae family. It comes from tropical America, including the Caribbean. Growers plant it in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Sources report no known habitat where it grows truly wild. People grow it for fruit and as a garden ornament. The fruit colours add to its value in the landscape.

Garden trees reach about 15–20 feet (4.6–6.1 metres) tall and wide. Some accounts give heights up to 26 feet (8 metres). The crown is open, and branches spread or grow upright. Long, thin branches often start near the base of the trunk. The tree sheds its leaves; cold and disease shape this loss. Leaves are thin, dull green, and narrow to oblong. Young leaves have hairs, but these disappear as leaves mature. People once used fibres from the bark to make cord.

Small flowers appear with new growth in mid to late spring. They grow beside the leaves, alone or in small groups. Each has three fleshy green petals and many pistils, its female parts. The fruit is an aggregate, made up of joined segments. It can be round, heart-shaped, or cone-shaped. The rounded segments loosen as the fruit ripens. Fruits measure about two to five inches across. The skin may be green or purplish red. The sweet white flesh is creamy, with many seeds inside. These seeds are shiny and dark brown. People eat the flesh raw or make frozen desserts and jellies.

The tree needs full sun and soil that drains well. Sandy loam suits it, but poor soil can support growth. Reports say it tolerates soils from mildly acid to alkaline. Sources list USDA zones 10–12, but frost can harm trees. Young trees may die at temperatures near freezing. Older trees can withstand light frosts that do not last long. Dry spells cause leaf loss and can reduce fruit crops. Keep the soil moist from the time flowers form through harvest. Flooded soil can cause root rot and kill the tree. Shelter from wind helps young trees take root. It also protects branches that bear fruit. Sources disagree on how well the tree tolerates salt. Florida guidance warns against salty soil and water.

Wet weather in late summer and autumn can worsen leaf disease. Strong winds can break limbs or uproot trees with shallow roots. The edible flesh does not make all plant parts safe. PFAF lists the seeds, leaves, and roots as poisonous. It records use in folk medicine, not proven health benefits. People also use the tree for firewood. Plant materials can kill insects, too. Useful Tropical Plants reports its 2019 IUCN status as Least Concern.