Cherimoya

Annona cherimola

Flower name
Cherimoya
Scientific name
Annona cherimola
AliasCherimoya, アンノナ・チェリモラ, チェリモア, カスタードアップル, custard apple, アイスクリームの木
Place of originSouth America
Place of floweringBotanical Gardens, Subtropical region
Flowering seasonMay, June

What is Cherimoya

Cherimoya (Scientific name: Annona cherimola) is a semi-deciduous small tree and its fruit, belonging to the family Annonaceae and genus Annona, originally from South America.
It is also known by other names such as Cherimoa, Custard Apple (in the U.S.), Ice Cream Tree (in Spain), and Andes Sorbet (the fruit).
It is distributed in Central America and the Andean highlands of Peru and Ecuador in South America.

The tree grows to a height of 5–9 meters.
From May to June, green fragrant flowers with a diameter of 2–3 cm and a length of 3 cm bloom. The outer three petals are long and yellow-green, while the inner three are short and pink. There are numerous stamens and pistils. The female flowers bloom first, as the species is protogynous.
From October to November, compound fruits are formed by the fusion of berries, with bright yellow-green color and rounded shapes, 5–10 cm in diameter, 10–20 cm in length, and weighing 150–500 g. The fruits are conical to heart-shaped.
The rind is green, glossy, and covered in scale-like patterns. The flesh is white, sweet, and has a melting, creamy texture.

Origin of the Name

The name "Cherimoya" is derived from the Quechua word chirimoya, meaning "cold seeds"—a plant that germinates in high-altitude cold regions.

Flower Language

"True friendship"

The World’s Three Most Delicious Fruits

Cherimoya, mango, and mangosteen are known as the world’s three most delicious fruits.
Cherimoya fruit is notable for its creamy flesh and aroma and is called “ice cream of the forest.”

Mark Twain’s Words

Writer Mark Twain called cherimoya “the most delicious fruit known to men.”

Words of Botanist Berthold Carl Seemann

Botanist Berthold Carl Seemann stated, “Pineapple (from Guayaquil), mangosteen (from the East Indies), and cherimoya (from the Andes) are the best fruits in the world. The best of all is cherimoya.”

Common name: Cherimoya
Scientific name: Annona cherimola
Other names: Cherimoa, Custard Apple (U.S.), Ice Cream Tree (Spain), Andes Sorbet (fruit)
Classification: Kingdom Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Order Magnoliales, Family Annonaceae, Genus Annona, Species cherimola
Native range: Central America, Peru and Ecuador in South America
Habitat: Andean highlands
Life form: Semi-deciduous small tree and its fruit
Height: 5–9 m
Petiole: 1 cm
Leaf texture: Leathery with scattered dark green hairs on the upper surface; dense soft brown hairs on the underside
Leaf shape: Ovate to ovate-lanceolate
Leaf length: 5–25 cm
Leaf width: 3–10 cm
Leaf margin: Entire
Flower sexuality: Hermaphroditic
Blooming season: May–June
Flower color: Green
Flower diameter: 2–3 cm
Flower length: 3 cm
Fragrance: Present
Petals: 6 total (3 outer yellow-green + 3 inner pink)
Stamens: Numerous
Pistils: Numerous
Harvest season: October–November
Fruit type: Compound fruit formed by fused berries
Fruit length: 10–20 cm
Fruit diameter: 5–10 cm
Fruit weight: 150–500 g
Fruit shape: Conical to heart-shaped
Fruit color: Bright yellow-green and rounded
Rind: Green, glossy, with scale-like patterns
Flesh: White, sweet, creamy, melting texture
Sugar content: 20–25° Brix
Nutrients: Dietary fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid, potassium
Seeds: Hard and toxic
Seed color: Glossy black
Seed length: 1–2 cm
Uses: Orchards, potted plants, edible flesh
Note: The bark and seeds contain neurotoxic acetogenins