Annona chedmola
Family: Annonaceae

This small, evergreen tree grows naturally in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador and is widely cultivated for its fruit. The flesh of the fruit is soft, white and delicately flavored, containing hard, black, bean-like seeds. A good-sized cherimoya weighs nearly 500 grams (1 lb). The flavor is generally regarded as more delicious than that of the custard apple. The cherimoya makes an attractive ornamental, with its velvety green leaves, fragrant, pale yellow flowers and pale green fruit. This tree is cultivated in California but is not suited to the Florida climate.

Cultivation

As the cherimoya is a native of the mountainous areas of the tropics, it requires mild, frost-free conditions. It may be grown from seed but the cultivars are far superior. If available, these will be grafted plants. Plant trees 7-9 m (23-30 ft) apart. They should bear fruit in three to four years. A poor crop may mean poor pollination.

Climate

Zone 10. Not suited to lowland tropical climates. Needs a relatively dry climate.