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 erect, cylindrical trunk can be 10cm in diameter; it sometimes branches from the base, though it can be clear of branches for up to 3 metres[, , , , ].
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[, , ].
Annona montana is a widespread species found in multiple locations and also sometimes cultivated. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

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

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Beetles, Insects
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[].
The outer bark has a pungent smell[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The juicy, succulent yellow pulp has a subacid to bitter flavour[, , ]. It is much appreciated[]. The flesh of the large fruits is rather dry and hard, much less juicy than the cultivated soursop
(Annona muricata). Nevertheless, the wild soursop is much esteemed and widely cultivated in northwest Guyana[]. The fruit has a strong aroma[]. The globose fruit is up to 15cm in diameter[]. It is inferior to that of soursop (Annona 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[, ]. Combined with seville orange (Citrus aurantium) an infusion is drunk as a treatment for influenza, asthma, high blood pressure, and nervousness[].
The leaves are briefly heated over a fire and then applied to the forehead in order to relieve headache and fevers[, ]. The leaves are used in herbal baths to calm down stress[].

An infusion of the bark and leaves is drunk as a tranquillizer and as a remedy for irregular heart beating[].

Three spoons a day of an infusion of the petals should be taken by patients suffering from nervous breakdown[].

The fruit, seeds, and leaves are all used medicinally[].

Numerous alkaloids have been isolated from this species, of which some have tranquillizing
properties, while others influence the nervous system

Other Uses

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

An oil is obtained from the seeds[].

A fibre obtained from the bark is used almost exclusively for making ropes and is said to be quite strong[].

The wod is pale brown, turning to a dark grayish brown on exposure, and with dark or almost black areas. It has no distinctive odour or taste. It is light in weight and moderately soft and 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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