Trees & Plants

Custard apple

Dhandigandu of atha, Vilaathu athu

Annona reticulata L.

Common in most of the inhabited islands The fruits are edible. It is a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins, fibers and minerals. The seeds are toxic and have insecticidal properties. A decoction made with roots is taken as a febrifuge. The bark is astringent and the decoction

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uses: The fruits are edible. It is a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins, fibers and minerals. The seeds are toxic and have insecticidal properties. A decoction made with roots is taken as a febrifuge. The bark is astringent and the decoction is taken as a tonic and also as a remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves are used in tanning and they yield a blue or black dye.
family: Annonaceae
synonym: Annona excelsa Kunth
description: Trees to 8 m high; bark pale brown. Leaves simple, alternate, distichous, × 10-20 3.5-7 cm, ovate-lanceolate, oblong, oblong-lanceolate, base acute, obtuse, apex is acuminate, coriaceous; lateral nerves 10- 15 pairs, prominent, intercostae reticulate; petiole 10-20 mm long, stout, grooved above. Flowers yellowish-green, several from internodal cymes, rarely opposite to leaves. Sepals 3, 2-3 mm long, pubescent outside, glabrous within. Petals 3+3, outer ones 1.5-2 cm, puberulous; inner ones reduced. Stamens many; anther cells hidden by the overlapping connectives. Fruit an aggregate of berry, to 10 cm across, spherical or ovoid, yellowish-red; areoles flat, rather separated by reticulations of raised ridges; pulp yellowish; seeds black- brown.
native range: Central America and West Indies
distribution: Introduced and cultivated in the tropics
english names: Custard apple · Bullock’s heart
flowering fruiting: May-August
occurrence maldives: Common in most of the inhabited islands