Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Annona
Species: A. reticulata

Common name: Nona, Nona ata(Beng.); Custard apple, Sugar apple, Wild-sweetsop, Bull’s Heart(Eng.).
Edible Parts: Bark, Fruit, Leaf, Seed, Whole plant
Life cycle: Perennial

Native Range: Native to  Caribbean, Central Mexico, Northern South America, Western South America, Brazil and Central America.

Description: Annona reticulata is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree. It is best known for its fruit, the fruit is appreciated by all.  The slender leaves are not hairy, straight and pointed at the apex. The flowers are generally in groups of three or four, with three long outer petals and three very small inner ones. The fruit is heart-shaped or spherical and 8 to 15 cm in diameter; according to the cultivar, the flesh varies from juicy and very aromatic to hard with a repulsive taste.

Medicinal Uses: A root decoction is taken as a febrifuge, while fragments of the root bark are packed around the gums to relieve toothache. The bark is very astringent and the decoction is taken as a tonic and also as a remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. The seed kernels are very toxic. The seeds, leaves and young fruits have insecticidal effect. The leaf juice kills lice. Sap from cut branches is acrid and irritant and can severely injure the eyes.