Common Name: Soncoya

General Information

Annona purpurea is a deciduous tree with a broad, spreading crown; it can grow up to 10 metres or more tall[, , ]. The short bole can be 45cm in diameter[].
The tree produces edible fruits that are often gathered from the wild. It is often considered to be of mediocre quality, and therefore not so popular, because it is outwardly so hard[]. It is, however, occasionally cultivated for its fruit in gardens in its native range[, ] and also in the Philippines[]. The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets[, ]. The species has been recommended for improvement by breeding[], and is grown as an ornamental[].
Annona purpurea has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela; C. America - Panama to southern and central Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad

Habitat

Wet or dry forests, often in second growth or in thickets, chiefly at low elevations but sometimes ascending to about 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Beetles, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the hot, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 30°c, but can tolerate 17 - 35°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -1°c or lower, but new growth will be badly damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 5,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a moist, moderately fertile, sandy loam[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw and also made into juice[, , , ]. The abundant pulp has an agreeable, aromatic flavour[, , ]. A mango-like flavour[, ]. The broadly ovoid fruit turns brown to gray when ripe and is about 15 - 20cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The unripe, green fruits are used as a treatment against diarrhoea and dysentery[];
The juice of the fruit is regarded as a remedy for fever, chills and jaundice[, ]. Its use in the treatment of jaundice is most likely to be based on its colour rather than its efficacy[].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a treatment for pulmonary infections[].

A decoction of the bark is effective against dysentery and oedema[]. The inner bark is used[, ].
The rootbark is used to treat snakebite[].)

Other Uses

Seed extracts destroy fleas[]. Extracts of the seeds are poisonous and can be used as an insecticide[, ].

Brown and yellow dye;s can be obtained from the bark and roots[].

An ink can be made from the green fruits[].

A fibre is obtained from the bark[].

The plant (it is not clear if this refers to the bark or the unripe fruit) is a source of tannin[].

The wood is used locally in construction and to make agricultural implements, boxes, cases, fences, posts etc. It can be pulped for making paper[].

Propagation

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[].

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