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Plant Informational Database

Custard Apple

Annona reticulata

a.k.a. Bullock's Heart

Although somewhat less esteemed than the cherimoya and atemoya, the custard apple is well-liked in many parts of the world. In poor varieties the flesh is usually a bit less flavorful than its well-known relatives, but thankfully better varieties are spreading, having fairly good-flavored flesh. Fruits often have colorful skin with creamy, white or pale yellow flesh.

Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

Small tree to 20-35ft. Leaves can be quite pretty but trees often take on irregular shapes. The tree is popular as a rootstock for other Annona species. Custard apple's have an advantage over other Annona's in that they tend to ripen slightly later in the year than their relatives, so during certain times of the year, only custard apple's are available.

Hardiness

It is tropical, but full -grown trees show hardiness to 26F.

Growing Environment

Grow in full sun. Water regularly.

Propagation

Usually by seeds. There are few named varieties and better strains are propagated by air layering and grafting.

Uses

Almost exclusively eaten fresh.

Native Range

Native to the Caribbean region but has spread across Central and South America, as well as Africa and Asia.

Related Species

Annonaceae  
Annona cacans
Araticum Cagao
Annona cherimola
Cherimoya
Annona cherimola x squamosa
Atemoya
Annona cornifolia
Annona cornifolia
Annona crassiflora
Marolo
Annona diversifolia
Ilama
Annona glabra
Pond Apple
Annona montana
Mountain Soursop
Annona muricata
Soursop
Annona paludosa
Annona paludosa
Annona purpurea
Soncoya
Annona reticulata
Custard Apple
Annona salzmannii
Beach Sugar Apple
Annona scleroderma
Poshe-te
Annona senegalensis
Wild Custard Apple
Annona sericea
Annona sericea
Annona squamosa
Sugar Apple
Anonidium mannii
Junglesop
Asiminia triloba
Pawpaw
Cananga odorata
Ylang Ylang
Duguetia lanceolata
Pindaiba
Monodora myristica
Calabash Nutmeg
Porcelia macrocarpa
Monkey Banana
Rollinia deliciosa
Biriba
Rollinia sylvatica
Aractium do Mato
Stelechocarpus burahol
Kepel
Xylopia aromatica
Monkey Pepper