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Summary

Posh-te or Annona liebmanniana is an evergreen tree that usually grows up to 20 m in height. It can be found in Central America particularly in South Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It is known for its delicious and aromatic fruit that is best eaten raw fresh from the tree. The fruit's flesh is soft-textured and cream in color while its exocarp is thick. Seeds are large, up to 2cm long.

Physical Characteristics

Annona liebmanniana is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Annona scleroderma Saff. Annona testudinea Saff.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw. Delicious and aromatic, it is best eaten fresh from the plant[ 46 , 301 ]. A richer flavour than the soursop (A. muricata) with a suggestion of the flavour of the white sapote (Casimiroa edulis)[ 301 ]. A creamy banana-pineapple like flavour, it is said to be one of the most flavourful and refreshing fruits in the genus[ 377 ]. The fruit has an agreeable flavour, it is 8 - 10cm in diameter, but the seeds are very large, up to 2cm long[ 331 ].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cherimoya can be used in agroforestry systems as a fruit tree. It provides shade and can be integrated into diverse cropping systems. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Many Annona species (such as cherimoya, soursop, and sugar apple) have flowers that attract pollinators, particularly beetles, because of their pollen. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – The fruits of Annona species are edible and can serve as food for wildlife, while their foliage may provide shelter and nesting spots for birds and other small animals. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The leaf litter from Annona trees can provide shelter for invertebrates, and their bark may offer overwintering sites for certain insects. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Annona species do not produce strong, aromatic smells known to confuse or repel pests.

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of the moister, lowland tropics, usually growing near sea level but also found at elevations up to 1,800 metres[ 331 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23° - 26°c, but can tolerate 8° - 32°c[ 418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 3,500 - 4,500mm, but tolerates 3,000 - 5,000mm[ 418 ]. Young trees seem to grow better in shade, but older trees grow well in sunny positions[ 418 ]. Prefers a moist, well-drained, sandy loam with a pH of around 6[ 200 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[ 418 ]. The tree may suffer from wind damage on exposed sites[ 418 ]. Trees can commence fruiting in just 4 years from seed, by which time they are 4 - 6 metres tall[ 377 , 418 ]. Trees flower on the previous year's growth[ 377 ]. The fruit of this species has a thick exocarp, making it suitable for long-distant transport[ 317 ]. This gives it potential in breeding programmes with other members of the genus to develop fruits with thick skins suitable for shipping[ 46 ]. When is it harvested? Late Autumn to Early Winter. When does it flower? Late Spring to Early Summer. Are there any agroforestry uses? How fast does it grow? Cherimoya has a moderate growth rate and can take about 3 to 4 years to start producing fruit after planting.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - usually breeds true to type[ 200 ]. Sow in individual pots, not deeper than 2cm, at 21c[ 200 ]. 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[ K ]. Semi-ripe cuttings[ 200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Posh-te tree, Hardshell custard-apple, Posh te custard-apple

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico, Chiapas, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Minor host of: Anastrepha ludens (Mexican fruit fly)

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Annona atemoya	Atemoya	Tree	8.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	D	5	0	2
Annona cherimola	Cherimoya, Custard Apple	Tree	9.0	8-12	F	LMH	N	DM	5	2	3
Annona mucosa	Wild Sweetsop	Tree	12.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	5	1	3
Annona muricata	Sour Sop	Tree	7.0	10-12	F	LMH	SN	M	4	3	2
Annona salzmannii	Beach Sugar Apple	Tree	12.0	10-12	S	LM	SN	M	4	0	3
Annona squamosa	Sugar Apple, Sweetsop, Custard Apple	Tree	6.0	10-12	M	LM	N	DM	5	2	2
Annona vepretorum	Araticum, Pinha da Caatinga, Araticum-da-bahia	Tree	6.0	10-12	S	LMH	N	D	4	0	2
Asimina triloba	Papaw	Shrub	4.5	5-8	S	M	SN	M	4	2	3
Cananga odorata	Ylang Ylang, Perfume Tree	Tree	20.0	10-12	F	LMH	SN	M	2	3	4
Oxandra lanceolata	Black lancewood, lancewood, haya prieta	Tree	10.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	M	0	0	4
Oxandra laurifolia	Yaya, lancewood	Tree	10.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	M	0	0	4

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Annona liebmanniana - Baill.