Editing Annona cherimola

'''Cherimoya''' ('''''Annona cherimola'''''; also cherimoya; custard apple) is a Annonaceae fruit plant grown for its aggregate fruit.

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 400px; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Cherimoya fruit hg.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Annona cherimola fruit, flower, or plant habit. Wikimedia Commons file page.]]
|-
! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | Cherimoya (''Annona cherimola '')
|-
! Scientific name
|| ''Annona cherimola''
|-
! Genus
|| [[Annona]]
|-
! Family
|| [[Annonaceae]]
|-
! Order
|| [[Magnoliales]]
|-
! Fruit type
|| Aggregate fruit
|-
! Growth form
|| Small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree
|-
! Climate and hardiness
|| Mild subtropical to tropical highland
|-
! Mature height
|| 5–9 m
|-
! Mature width
|| 4–7 m
|-
! Soil
|| Well-drained loam with organic matter; intolerant of prolonged saturation
|-
! Water
|| Regular water while growing; moderate drought tolerance after establishment
|-
! Sun
|| Full sun with shelter from hot drying winds
|-
! Germination
|| 3–8 weeks from fresh seed; seedling fruit is variable
|-
! Years to fruit
|| 3–5 years grafted; longer from seed
|-
! Pollination
|| Flowers are protogynous; hand pollination is often needed outside native pollinator ranges
|-
! Harvest
|| Cool-season or shoulder-season crop depending on climate and cultivar
|}

== Identification and description ==
Cherimoya is an Andean fruit tree producing soft, fragrant aggregate fruits with white custard-like flesh. Cultivars differ in skin pattern, seediness, texture, and tolerance of heat or cool weather.

The accepted genus, family, and order are [[Annona]], [[Annonaceae]], and [[Magnoliales]]. Common names may cover related taxa; check the scientific name before transferring cultivation advice.

== Growing ==
Cherimoya is associated with mild Andean uplands where bright days, cool nights, and seasonal dryness shape flowering. It needs drainage and sun, but extreme heat can reduce pollen performance; hand pollination is often useful.

Native habitats are mild, seasonally dry valleys and mountain slopes. Cherimoya needs warmth for growth but benefits from cool nights and does not perform like a hot lowland tropical. Keep the root zone drained, prune for accessible new fruiting wood, and avoid excessive heat stress during bloom.

=== Soil ===
Well-drained loam with organic matter; intolerant of prolonged saturation.

=== Sun and humidity ===
Full sun with shelter from hot drying winds. Native habitat and airflow matter as much as light intensity; avoid enclosing humid foliage without ventilation.

=== Seasonal changes ===
A dry or cool interval may trigger dormancy or leaf fall, followed by a warm flush and flowering. Fruit develops during the warmer part of the year and may be damaged by extreme heat, drought, or frost. Adjust irrigation with the seasonal cycle rather than maintaining saturated soil.

== Propagation ==
Named cultivars are grafted. Fresh seed is useful for rootstocks and breeding but varies in fruit quality. Hand pollination with collected pollen can be more reliable than relying on local insects.

[[File:Annona cherimola fruit, Pedra Bela, Brazil.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Field view or fruit detail of Annona cherimola. Wikimedia Commons file page.]]

== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==
Cool-season or shoulder-season crop depending on climate and cultivar. Flowering and ripening are strongly affected by latitude, cultivar, rootstock, rainfall, and temperature; local records are more useful than a single universal calendar.

== Fruit and uses ==
The ripe flesh is eaten fresh with a spoon and is used in smoothies, ice cream, custards, and desserts. Seeds are not edible and should be removed before processing.


== Commentary ==
Growers are invited to share observations about Cherimoya on the [[Talk:Annona cherimola|talk page]], especially climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering season, and fruit quality.


== Photos ==

The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.

== Sources ==
* [https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/cherimoya.html Purdue NewCROP: Cherimoya]
* [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Annona+cherimola Useful Tropical Plants: Annona cherimola]



== Image credits ==

* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cherimoya_fruit_hg.jpg Cherimoya fruit hg.jpg] — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Annona_cherimola_fruit,_Pedra_Bela,_Brazil.jpg Annona cherimola fruit, Pedra Bela, Brazil.jpg] — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.

[[Category:Fruits]]
[[Category:Annonaceae]]
[[Category:Annona]]