Common Name: Ilama

General Information

Annona diversifolia is a deciduous tree with an erect or spreading crown; it can grow up to 8 metres tall. The bole, which is up to 25cm in diameter, is often branched from ground level with 3 - 6 main stems[].
Said to be one of the nicest fruits in a genus of delicious fruits, the plant is often cultivated in gardens and orchards, especially in its native area[, , ]. This species is one of the best members of the genus for growing in the lowland tropics[]. There are some named forms[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central America - southern Mexico to Guatemala and El Salvador.

Habitat

Thickets[]. Found at elevations from sea level to 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the hot, mainly lowland tropics, where it can be found at elevations from sea level up to 1,800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 26°c, but can tolerate 16 - 31°c[]. Plants are very susceptible to frost damage[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 1,400mm, but tolerates 650 - 2,600mm[]. It grows best in areas with a distinct dry season followed by heavy rain[].
Young trees need partial shade, though older trees succeed in open, sunny positions[]. Prefers a fertile, moist, sandy loam[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 8, tolerating 5.8 - 8.4[].
Trees commence fruiting when about 7 - 8 years old from seed, or 3 - 4 years after grafting[].
Plants often fruit badly in many areas[].
The fruits perish within days of harvest and they transport very poorly, hence it is relatively unknown outside its native range[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A sweet, aromatic, pleasant flavour, they are best eaten straight from the plant[, ]. The fruit is used also in jams, jellies and preserves[]. Pale-green fruits have a very sweet, white flesh; pink fruited kinds have a rose-pink tinged flesh that is more acidic, like the cherimoya (A. cherimola)[]. The ellipsoid fruit is up to 16cm long[], and weighs 400 - 800g[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - usually breeds true to type[]. Sow in individual pots, not deeper than 2cm, at 21c[]. Seeds, especially if stored, can develop secondary dormancy and then germinate poorly[].
The seed of many species in this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Semi-ripe cuttings[].

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