SourSop
Hi, I’m Soursop! My scientific name is Annona muricata, but I got the nickname ‘soursop’ because of my fruit’s citrus-y taste when ripe. Some people say my fruit is like a more sour combination of a strawberry and an apple, has the texture of a banana, and smells like pineapple.
About me:
I’m a small, broadleaf evergreen tree native to the Caribbean and tropical regions of the Americas. I’m now widely cultivated in subtropical and tropical areas like India, and am part of the custard apple tree family. I can grow to about 30 ft tall, have glossy, dark green leaves, and yellow-green flowers with 3 thick petals each that grow in groups of 1-3. My fruit can be up to a foot long and is dark green and prickly on the outside, with a juicy white interior.
Special skills:
I can grow even in Hawaii’s volcanic soils
I’m also the most drought tolerant of my plant family
My biggest weakness is definitely the cold - temperatures below 40 degrees F can damage my leaves and branches, and sometimes even be fatal…
Anywayyyys, I live in high humidity, relatively warm areas that don’t get too cold in winter, and I like full to part sun, low altitudes between 0 and 3,900 ft, and soil with organic matter.
Occupation:
In Hawaiian culture, I have a bunch of different medicinal purposes
My seeds can fight infections
My leaves can treat headaches and insomnia
My fruit can help treat arthritis, stomach problems, and some nervous disorders
Currently, my fruit pulp is used to make smoothies, fruit juice drinks, candies, sorbets, and ice cream flavorings!