Annona

Graviola or Soursop Trees 

Annona muricata or ‘Soursop’ is sometimes referred to as ‘Graviola’. The fruit of the Annona or Graviola plant with the sour taste help give it the first name ‘Soursop’.

Graviola seems to be a term that refers to the supposed medicinal and cancer fighting properties of an extract from the leaves of this tree. Also refered to as guyabano tree.

This is a tree that requires a tropical climate to thrive and fruit production in Australia seems to be limited to Queensland. One problem is transporting the fruit, it just does not travel well and does not seem to last long enough in good conditions to get to markets in southern states.

However the leaves are also used, ‘cha graviola’ is a tea made from the leaves, said to improve digestion. The trees are widely grown in Malaysia and the fruit is used in this country to produce juices.

How To Grow Annona muricata

This is  fast growing evergreen to semi deciduous tree (as it gets cooler, the more deciduous it becomes) this is a native to Central America through to South America. A. muricata will reach around 6m in tropical to semi tropical areas.

• Best in a humus rich well drained soil that retains some moisture.
• Full sun to part shade is best, not suited to deep shade.
• A frost free position is essential.
• This is a tropical tree, so humidity is important.

The large heart shaped fruit can be eaten fresh or used for juice. It is the medicinal properties of A. muricata that are making this tree increasingly popular.

Used by natives of Peru for centuries, various parts of the plant are said to have different healing properties, although definitive studies as to the therapeutic benefits are not readily available.

Annona muricata and othe species are available for sale from the following nurseries