Annona cherimola

Cherimoya ( Annona cherimola )

Cherimoya ( Annona cherimola ) is a species within the family of Annonengewächse ( Annonaceae ). Originally from South America, the cherimoya is grown widely as a fruit tree in the subtropics and higher elevations of the tropics.

Description

The cherimoya grows as a small tree or shrub that reaches heights of growth 5-9 meters. The crown is laid out, the branches branch out soon on the ground. Young twigs are hairy reddish. The leaves are arranged opposite one another and double-spaced. The hairy petiole is 6-12 mm long. The leaf blade measures 7.5 to 15 cm in length and 3.8 to 8.9 cm wide, its shape is oval, elliptical or oval - lanceolate, it ends with a blunt, short, patch tip. On the top of the sheet is only sparsely hairy, whereas the bottom is a denser pubescence on. The leaves are shed each year just before flowering time, new drive just like it.

The flowers appear singly, in pairs or threes on the branches. The peduncle is short and hairy. The three outer petals are green and fleshy, hairy, oblong-shaped, up to 3 cm long. The three inner petals are small and pink. The flowers are fragrant. The shape of the fruit is conical or heart-shaped, 10-20 cm long and up to 10 cm wide. Often the weight of the fruit is 150 to 500 g, but there are instances that bear fruit up to 2,700 g. The green skin of the fruit can be thin or thick, smooth fruits besides there are also those with conical or rounded lobes. The flesh is white, juicy, it has an aromatic, slightly sour taste. The fruit contains numerous seeds, these are shiny brown or black and 1.25 to 2 cm in size.

Occurrence

The cherimoya is probably derived from the Andes of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. As a fruit tree it was planted and used early on also outside their natural area. In 1629 it was introduced from Guatemala to Mexico. After Spain came first plant in 1757, to Italy 1797. Cultivation is generally possible in subtropical areas and at high altitudes in the tropics. In the distribution area of ​​the cherimoya, there is a dry period in constantly damp climates flourish the trees worse. Frost is barely tolerated - the trees survive temperatures of -3 ° C, at even colder temperatures will cause damage or death.

Use

Cultivation

Attached it is today in all regions worldwide with a suitable sub-tropical climates. So you can find plantations, for example, in Madeira and in Israel. It is partly but (eg, Costa Tropical and Costa del Sol ) grown in Spain, and in Italy in the area of Reggio Calabria and Villa San Giovanni.

In areas where this species is not native, it must be partially pollinated by hand. This is due to the fact that in some species of bee pollen is ripe until a day later, when the stigmas are ready to conceive. The fruits ripen about five to eight months after pollination approach.

The fruits ripen after harvest, they are therefore climacteric fruits. When stored at 10 ° C, the after-ripening delayed.

Use in the kitchen

The cherimoya fruit is eaten raw as a fruit, it can also be processed into juice or ice.

Nutritional value per 100 g of flesh:

  • Water from 74.6 to 77.1 g
  • Protein 1.9 g
  • Fat 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates 19.2 g
  • Minerals Phosphorus from 30.2 to 37.0 mg
  • Calcium from 21.7 to 32.0 mg
  • Iron 0.80 mg
  • Ascorbic acid ( C) from 5.0 to 16.8 mg
  • Niacin (B3), 1.02 mg
  • Thiamine ( B1) 0.10 to 0.117 mg
  • Riboflavin ( B2) 0.112 mg

Use as a remedy, toxicity

The seeds of cherimoya contain various alkaloids, consumption leads to nausea and various symptoms of poisoning. The seeds are used as an insecticide and parasitic skin diseases, as well as a strong emetics and laxatives.

Botanical history

The cherimoya was first described by Philip Miller in 1768 in his Gardeners Dictionary scientifically. The name cherimola is derived from the Spanish term " chirimoya " or " Chirimoyo ", which in turn are due to an unspecified Indian name. Possibly a derivation comes from the Peruvian Quechua Ciri, "cold", and Muyu, "circle, wheel" in question, meaning " fresh, round fruit ."

Ripe fruits

Fruit on the tree

Plantation in southern Andalusia

Genus Stigma (botany)
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