Currently, seven Annonaspecies and one hybrid are grown for domestic or commercial use mostly for the edible and nutritious fruits, Anona.[6] Many of the species are used in traditional medicines for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Several of species Annonacaeous have been found to contain acetogenins, a class of natural compounds with a wide variety of biological activities.[7][8]
Thin bark that has broad and shallow depression or fissures which join together and are scaly. Slender, stiff, cylindrical and tapering shoots with raised pores and naked buds.[4]
Leaves
Leaf blades can be leathery or thin and rather soft or pliable, bald or hairy.[4]
Flowers
The flowering stalks rise from an axil, or occasionally from axillary buds on main stem or older stems, or as solitary flowers or small bundle of flowers. Usually three or four deciduous sepals that are smaller than the outer petals that do not overlap while in bud. Six to eight fleshy petals in two whorls -- the petals of the outer whorl are larger and do not overlap; inner petals are ascending, distinctively smaller and nectar glands are darker pigmented. Numerous stamens that are ball, club-shaped, or curved and hooded or pointed beyond anther sac. Numerous pistils, attached directly to the base, partially united to various degrees with distinct stigmas. One or two ovules per pistil; style and stigma club-shaped or narrowly conic.[4]
Fruits
One fleshy, ovate to spherical fruit per flower. Each fruit consisting of many individual small fruits or syncarps; one syncarp and seed per pistil. Seeds beanlike with tough coats.[4]
Atemoya (a hybrid of A. cherimola and A. squamosa)
Cherimoya plantation
Brazilian pawpaw
Sugar apples
Selected species
The following is a list of some of the more important species. Many of them have significant agricultural, medicinal, pharmaceutical, and other uses. Synonyms appear in the sub-list.[10]
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