Annona squamosa
Syn. Xilopia glabra, Annona cinerea, Guanabus squamosus

Names: Annone, attier, atte, cinnamon apple, cinnamon cachiman, cinnamon apple tree, mukonokono, Ponm kannèl, sugar apple, apple bush, sweet sop, custard apple, anona, anòn, rinon, saramuya, menona, cinnamon cachiman, annona blanka, …

​

FAMILY

ANNONACEAE

ETYMOLOGY

The name Annona comes from the Haitian name "menona" and Squamosa means scaly, like the fruit.
Atte is derived from Mexican and referred to as it fruit.

ORIGIN

Tropical America (introduced to Guadeloupe by Native Americans).

​

HABITAT

Cultivated lowland dry forest.

DESCRIPTION

Small fruit tree 3 to 8m high and with a globular habit. 
Its leathery leaves , with a spicy smell, are elongated, alternate and of a beautiful shiny dark green. 
Its flower has 3 fleshy yellow-greenish triangular sepals which give it the appearance of a bell. They appear on the twigs or directly on the trunk. 
The pollen is released when the first circle of petals (the larger ones) open, but the stigmas are fertilizable later, when the second circle of petals (the smaller ones) separate, which imposes cross-pollination between 2 flowers at different stages. Pollination is generally done by small beetles attracted by the scent, but it is often incomplete (misshapen fruit). It is therefore interesting to carry out manual pollination with a brush. 
Its fruit, in the shape of an elongated heart, is bristling with soft thorns. It can weigh up to three kilos! Dark green in color, its skin turns yellow-green when ripe. Its white, soft, edible flesh is sprinkled with black seeds.

NEEDS

The Attier is a common species of hot and dry regions.
Watering: Light.
Any type of soil, but prefers dry and sandy soils, even rocky ones (well drained). 
Exposure: Full sun.
Hardiness: It easily withstands subtropical climates and even a few days at 0°C. It supports the spray and the wind. 
Flowering: from April to July.
Fruiting: September to February, 3-4 years after planting.
Altitude: 0-400m.

MULTIPLICATION

Seeds, grafting 
In spring, it is possible to make seedlings after scarifying them and soaking them overnight in lukewarm water.
Sow in potting soil 2cm deep and moisten regularly. The germination temperature is between 25°C to 30°C (in winter this temperature is easily reached near a heat source) replant in a large pot with rich soil when the small plants measure 6 to 10cm.
In June you will be able to make herbaceous cuttings stewed (all year round with an appropriate system).
Shield grafting makes it possible to select varieties.

CULTURE AND MAINTENANCE

Planting distance: 4 to 6m.
It prefers dry climates, it is not useful to have deep soil, as its rooting remains superficial, but draining and a sunny position.
Prune intersecting branches. Maintenance pruning is carried out before the rainy season, notably by removing dead branches and suckers. Training pruning is rarely necessary.
Water well the first year after planting. Do not forget to mulch at the foot. 
Sooty mold develops on the leaves when there is too much moisture. 
Enemies : red spiders, mealybugs and moths.

​

USES
 

MEDICINAL USE

Ailments: Stomach pain, gas or cold.

Parts used: Leaves.

Manual :

Against stomach pains: Decoction of 30g of young leaves per liter of water, boil 5min, covered. Leave to cool and filter (Source: TRAMIL ).
Against gases or colds: Decoction of 50 fresh leaves (10g) or 30g of aerial parts, previously washed, per liter of water, boil 10min, covered. Leave to cool and filter.

Dosage:

Against stomach pains: Drink 1 cup 3 to 4 times a day (Source: TRAMIL ).
Against gas or colds: Drink 1 cup 3 to 4 times a day (Source: TRAMIL ).

Hazards:

Avoid prolonged consumption of the leaves (not more than a year). Do not use for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or with children under 12 years old.

Recommendations:

Any medicinal preparation must be kept cold and used within 24 hours.

​

ORNAMENTAL USE

Very beautiful shrub. Can be planted as an isolated subject.

FOOD USE

Very ripe fruit, juice, sorbets, ice cream, cream, milk shake, curry, etc.

OTHER USES

The seeds have insecticidal properties, crushed they are used to fight against lice in some countries.
The dry seed powder is used as an insecticide. Attention it strongly imitates the eyes.

ANECDOTES

Caribbean researchers have put forward the hypothesis of a correlation between the consumption of plants of the Annonaceae family and the occurrence of atypical parkinsonian disorders which would be linked to the presence of acetogenins causing neuropathological lesions (Champy et al. 2004 and 2005 ).

COMPOSITION

For 100g of Pulp

Water (g) - 96
Calories (Kcal) - 24.6
Proteins (g) - 1.6
Carbohydrates (g) - 0.2
Lipids (g) - 72.8
Fiber (g) - 1.6
Calcium (mg) - 28
Iron (mg) - 18
Vitamins
A - retinol (mcg) - traces
B1 (mg) - 0.11
B2 (mg) - 0.15
B3 or PP (mg) - 0.9
C (mg) - 35

Fruit with multiple nutrients, rich in carbohydrates, fiber and potassium, glycemic index 35.

Source: http://www.phytobokaz.fr/attachments/article/20/phytobokaz_table_composition_foods_guadeloupe_20090507144645
 

​

SOURCES

• Directory of fruit and vegetables from Guadeloupe - Ed Orphie - P171
• Caribbean medicinal plants - Dr Longuefosse - Ed Orphie - T1 P185
• Illustrated flora of the phanerogams of Guadeloupe & Martinique - Jacques Fournet - Ed Gondwana, CIRAD -  T1 P82
• The big book of fruits and vegetables lontan - Ed Orphie P10
• Medicinal plants of the tropics - Ed Exbrayat - T1 P24

• TRAMIL - 3rd edition - P65

• http://caribfruits.cirad.fr/fruits_tropicaux/corossol
• http://www.phytobokaz.fr/attachments/article/20/phytobokaz_table_composition_foods_guadeloupe_20090507144645.pdf