Common Name: Mountain Soursop

General Information

Annona montana is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub or tree with an irregular, spreading crown; it can grow from 3 - 14 metres tall[, , , ].
The edible fruit is mainly gathered from the wild and used locally[]. It is occasionally cultivated, both for its edible fruit and as an ornamental, and the fruit is occasionally found for sale in local markets[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, The Guyanas; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica; Caribbean.

Habitat

Usually along the sides of streams in mountainous areas, but sometimes descending to near sea level[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it can be grown at elevations from near sea level up to 2,000 metres[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 16 - 26°c, but can tolerate 14 - 32°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -4°c or lower, but new growth can be badly damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,700mm, but tolerates 640 - 4,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Tolerant of a wide range of well-drained, fertile soils[], but prefers a moist, sandy loam with a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 8.7[].
The tree resembles the soursop (A. Muricata), but is less susceptible to cold, being able to be grown at higher elevations[, ].
Trees take 5 - 6 years from seed until they begin to produce fruit[]. Trees can start to produce fruit when only 2 - 3 years old[].
In some areas the tree can flower and produce fruit all year round[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. The juicy, yellow pulp has a subacid to bitter flavour[, ]. It has a strong aroma[]. The globose fruit is up to 15cm in diameter[]. It is inferior to that of soursop (A. Muricata) but is used in the same ways[].
These ways are :- They are consumed fresh for dessert when fully ripe or mixed with ice cream or milk to make a drink[]. Immature fruits, harvested when the seeds are still soft, are cooked as a vegetable in soups etc[, , , ].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is drunk in the evening before retiring for its calming effect on the nerves and sedative effect which promotes sleep[]. The leaves are also used to treat fever and headache[].

Other Uses

The plant is sometimes used as a rootstock for other members of the genus[, ].

The sapwood is light brown and soft. The wood is used only for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - usually breeds true to type[]. Sow in individual pots, not deeper than 2cm, at 21c[]. Seeds may be sown directly into the field or in a nursery bed[].
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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