Annona muricata
Annona muricata
Annona muricata (pronunciation: /æˈnoʊnə mʊˈrɪkətə/), commonly known as soursop, is a species of flowering plant in the Annonaceae family. It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible fruit.
Etymology
The genus name Annona is derived from the Taíno word for annual harvest, while the species name muricata is a Latin term meaning 'roughened', which refers to the spiny surface of the fruit.
Description
The Annona muricata tree grows between 5 to 6 meters in height. The leaves are oblong to oval, 8 cm to 16 cm long and 3 cm to 7 cm wide. The flowers are large, yellow to greenish, and borne singly on a stalk. The fruit is oval, often slightly curved, up to 30 cm long and 15 cm in diameter, with a skin covered in thorn-like projections.
Uses
The fruit of the Annona muricata is consumed fresh or used in cooking, and is a source of vitamins C and B. The leaves and seeds have been used in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments.
Related Terms
- Annonaceae: The plant family to which Annona muricata belongs.
- Soursop: The common name for Annona muricata.
- Annona: The genus of Annona muricata.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.