Annona squamosa L.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Cultivated throughout the Indies, but is very likely originally from South America, where it is also cultivated.’  [Don].  ‘The Sweet-sop or Sugar-apple has been mentioned by some authors as a native exclusively of South America, by others, as both of Asiatic and American origin.  St. Hilaire, however, has come to the conclusion, that it was imported from the East Indies to the New World. […] The plant is now abundantly cultivated in the New as well as in the Old world, and principally on account of the fruit.  Yet, in regard to its quality, there seems to be some difference of opinion.  Browne says that, “it is pretty much esteemed by many of the fair sex, though seldom served up at table.” […] The unripe fruit, according to Sloane, boiled with a little ginger in fair water, cures the vertigo; and “the leaves beaten, adding salt to them, make a poultess, which put on malignant tumours powerfully ripens them.” [Abcess is probably meant here.]  Annona squamosa was introduced to the stoves of this country in the year 1731, but it does not appear that it has ever produced fruit, nor even flowers in this country.’  [BM t.3095/1831].  van Nooten.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1850 catalogue.  Probably introduced to assess its potential as a fruit tree under Camden conditions.

Notes

Annona squamosa Delile = Annona forskahlii DC.

Annona squamosa Vell. = Annona obtusiflora Tuss., a synonym of Rollinia mucosa Jacq., a related species from tropical America.