Editing Annona purpurea

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 320px; margin-left: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
|-
! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | Soncoya (''Annona purpurea'')
|-
! Scientific name
| ''Annona purpurea''<sup id="cite_ref-1">[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup>
|-
! Common names
| Soncoya; chincua
|-
! Genus
| [[Annona]]
|-
! Family
| [[Annonaceae]]
|-
! Order
| [[Magnoliales]]
|-
! Growth form
| Deciduous tree with a broad, spreading crown
|-
! Native range
| Central Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela<sup id="cite_ref-2">[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup>
|-
! Mature size
| About 8–10 m; the short bole can reach about 45 cm in diameter
|-
! Climate and site
| Hot, lowland wet or seasonally dry tropics; moist, moderately fertile sandy loam
|-
! Propagation
| Seed; scarification may speed germination
|-
! Fruit
| Large, broadly ovoid, brown to gray when ripe; abundant aromatic pulp
|-
! Harvest
| Harvest when the fruit has ripened and softened
|}

'''Annona purpurea''' (soncoya or chincua) is a deciduous tree in the custard-apple family, Annonaceae. It develops a broad crown and produces a large, hard-skinned fruit that is gathered from the wild and occasionally grown in gardens within its native range.<sup id="cite_ref-3">[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>

== Description ==

The tree can reach about 10 m or more, with a short bole about 45 cm in diameter. The foliage is deciduous and the crown is broad and spreading. The fruit is broadly ovoid, about 15–20 cm across, and changes from green to brown or gray as it ripens. It contains abundant pulp with an agreeable aromatic, mango-like flavor.<sup id="cite_ref-4">[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup>

== Distribution and habitat ==

The native range extends from southern and central Mexico through Panama to Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Trinidad. The species occurs in wet or dry forest, second growth, and thickets, chiefly at low elevations and occasionally to about 1,200 m. Colombian records place it mainly at 300–800 m in Caribbean, Pacific, and Cauca Valley regions.<sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup>

== Cultivation ==

Soncoya is a plant of the hot lowland tropics. A Useful Tropical Plants profile gives approximate favorable daytime growth at 22–30 °C, with a broader tolerance of about 17–35 °C. It places possible lethal damage to mature trees near −1 °C and new-growth damage around 0 °C, and gives approximately 1,000–3,000 mm annual rainfall as favorable, with broader tolerance from roughly 700–5,000 mm.<sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup> Treat these figures as approximate cultivation guidance rather than hard species-wide thresholds.

=== Soil and water ===

A moist, moderately fertile sandy loam is suitable. The same horticultural profile gives a preferred soil reaction of about pH 5.5–6.5, with tolerance from approximately pH 5–7.<sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup> In cultivation, use a freely draining site that can hold moisture through active growth without remaining saturated.

=== Sun and humidity ===

The species grows best in a sunny position, although its native range also includes wet or seasonally dry forest and second-growth vegetation. Give a young tree steady warmth and good airflow; a site with high atmospheric humidity and protection from cold, dry wind is a closer match to its tropical distribution than an exposed temperate position.<sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup>

=== Seasonal changes ===

The species is deciduous and occurs in both wet and dry forests, second growth, and thickets.<sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup> Expect water demand to fall during seasonal leaf loss, but do not allow a container or newly planted tree to become thoroughly dry. Resume regular irrigation as new growth begins, and protect the tree before temperatures approach the damage levels described above.

== Propagation ==

Seed is the documented propagation route for this species. Seeds of many Annona species have a hard coat; careful scarification followed by soaking can speed water uptake and germination. Sow fresh, clean seed in a warm, well-drained medium and keep it evenly moist while it establishes.<sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup>

== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==

The flowers are pollinated by beetles and other insects. The broadly ovoid fruit turns brown to gray when ripe and has a hard exterior. Harvest the fruit after it has ripened and softened.<sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup>

== Fruit and uses ==

The ripe fruit is eaten raw and can be made into juice. Its abundant pulp is aromatic and mango-like in flavor. The fruit is gathered from the wild, sold in local markets, and occasionally cultivated for its fruit in gardens within its native range. The tree is also grown as an ornamental.<sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup>

== References ==

* <span id="cite_note-1"></span>[[#cite_ref-1|↑]] '''[1]''' [https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/match?name=Annona%20purpurea GBIF species match: ''Annona purpurea'']. Exact accepted match; family, order, and genus; accessed 24 September 2026.

* <span id="cite_note-2"></span>[[#cite_ref-2|↑]] '''[2]''' [https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:72289-1 Plants of the World Online: ''Annona purpurea'']. Accepted name and native distribution; accessed 24 September 2026.

* <span id="cite_note-3"></span>[[#cite_ref-3|↑]] '''[3]''' [https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:72289-1/general-information Plants of the World Online: ''Annona purpurea'', general information]. Colombian distribution, elevation, habitat, and vernacular-name records; accessed 24 September 2026.

* <span id="cite_note-4"></span>[[#cite_ref-4|↑]] '''[4]''' [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Annona+purpurea Useful Tropical Plants: ''Annona purpurea'']. Habit, range, habitat, climate, soil, fruit, uses, pollinators, and seed-propagation details; accessed 24 September 2026.

[[Category:Fruits]]
[[Category:Tropical fruit trees]]
[[Category:Annona]]
[[Category:Central American fruit]]