Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Magnoliales Bromhead
Family
Annonaceae Juss.
Genus
Annona L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Annona cherimola Mill., Gard. Dict., ed. 8, 1, ANN–ANN (1768)
Vernacular Name(s):
Cherimoya; Custard apple
 Description

Evergreen or semi-deciduous, hairy shrub to c. 4 m high, forming large thickets by suckering. Bark tough and fibrous. Shoots tomentose. Petiole 5–15 mm long. Lamina (3)–6–21–(26) × (1.5)–3–12–(18) cm, ovate-elliptic, elliptic, or obovate, glaucous and densely hairy beneath, becoming sparingly so above; base broadly cuneate; apex rounded to obtuse. Fls usually solitary, sometimes 2 together, opposite upper lf axils. Pedicels 6–10 mm long, brown-tomentose. Calyx 2–3 mm long; lobes brown-tomentose. Outer 3 petals c. 2.5 × 0.8 cm, thick, fleshy, green, tomentulose outside; inner 3 petals minute. Filaments very short; connectives densely silky hairy. Carpels brown-tomentose. Fr. ± segmented, broadly ovate-cordate, c. 8 cm diam.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.

 Bibliography
Miller, P. 1768: The Gardeners Dictionary, Edition 8. Vol. 1. London.
Steele, R.; Lowe, M. 2002–2006: Index. Subtropicals Index: 1–12.