Soursop, Guanabana

Annona muricata L.

ah-NO-ah muir-eh-CAY-tah

Annonaceae

Explanation of name:  For Annona see Annona glabra. Muricate means spiny.

Natural range: Tropical America.

Recognition:  Of the Annona fruits, the soursop is the most elongate and the largest (multiple pounds) and has the most prominent bristles, these oriented toward the tip of the fruit; the flesh is white.  Flowers are pale orange or dirty yellow.

Landscape uses:   Fruiting tree.  Very tropical and not cold tolerant.  Propagated by seeds, by air layers, and by grafting.

Internet sources: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/soursop.html#Origin and Distribution

http://www.tropilab.com/soursop.html