Wild custard apple

Where does Wild custard apple grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 100-150 Annona species. It has anticancer properties.

Status: It is a commonly used food in West Africa. It is sold in local markets. Fruit tend to be available in the drier more hungry season.

Growing Wild custard apple

Cultivation: It is grown from fresh seeds. It is probably best to grow seedlings in a nursery and then to transplant them. Seed grow easily but not all at the same time. There are 2,500-3,000 seeds per kg. Seed can only be easily stored for 6 months. Plants can be cut back and allowed to re-grow. Plants can be grown by root suckers.

Edible Uses: The flower buds are eaten. They are used in soups and as a flavouring. They can be dried and stored. The flesh of the ripe fruit is eaten fresh. It has a pleasant taste. They are also used for jam and drinks. The fruit can be dried. The young leaves are edible cooked.

Production: Trees are slow growing. Trees flower from October to December in the southern hemisphere. The fruit is ready from January to March. Fruit mature in about 120 days. It is best to pick fruit before they ripen and to ripen them in a dark warm place. Trees are climbed to harvest the fruit. Fruit weigh about 25 g.

Nutrition Info

References

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