Family Name: Annonaceae
Botanical Name(s): Annona Squamosa
Popular Name(s): Custard apple, sugar apple, sweetsop, kaner'apra, pomme canelle, tapotapo, fun li chi, anon, anona blanca, ati, ates
Parts Used: Annona seeds, Annona leaves, Annona bark.
Habitat: Throughout India.
Description: A small tropical tree, indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, growing up to 20' tall. The leaves are thin, oblong while the flowers are greenish - yellow. The conical fruit, with a purple knobby skin, is very sweet and is eaten fresh or can be used for shakes. The fruit is juicy and creamy - white.
Uses: There are many medicinal applications of the custard apple tree. The bark and leaves contain annonaine, an alkaloid. A bark decoction is used to stop diarrhea, while the root is used in the treatment of dysentery. A decoction of the leaves is used as a cold remedy and to clarify urine.