Annona muricata
L., Sp. Pl. 1: 536. 1753;
Kan.: Mulluramaphale; Tam.: Mullu-sitha-pazham.
Trees, small; branches glabrous. Leaves obovate-oblong, acute at base, shortly acuminate, 11 - 14 x 4 - 5 cm, glabrous; petioles 4 - 5 mm long, glabrous. Flowers solitary, axillary; pedicels 1.2 - 1.5 cm long, glabrous, minutely bracteate at base or a little above the base. Sepals 3, triangular, 3 - 5 x 5 - 6 mm, glabrous, persistent. Petals 6 (3 + 3), ovate-acute, yellow, thick, glabrous; outer ones 3 - 3.2 x 2 - 2.5 cm; inner ones ca 1.5 x 1 cm. Stamens numerous, 4 - 5 mm long, linear; filaments broad at base, with capitate top of the connective. Carpels many, linear, ca 4 mm long, slightly curved, strigose; style broad at base; stigma entire. Ripe carpels 6 - 8 cm long, muricate, dull green, warty, covered with long curved spines; stalks 2 - 3 cm long, stout. Seeds many, reddish brown.
Fl. & Fr. April - Oct.
Distrib. India: Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Central America and West Indies.
Trees, small; branches glabrous. Leaves obovate-oblong, acute at base, shortly acuminate, 11 - 14 x 4 - 5 cm, glabrous; petioles 4 - 5 mm long, glabrous. Flowers solitary, axillary; pedicels 1.2 - 1.5 cm long, glabrous, minutely bracteate at base or a little above the base. Sepals 3, triangular, 3 - 5 x 5 - 6 mm, glabrous, persistent. Petals 6 (3 + 3), ovate-acute, yellow, thick, glabrous; outer ones 3 - 3.2 x 2 - 2.5 cm; inner ones ca 1.5 x 1 cm. Stamens numerous, 4 - 5 mm long, linear; filaments broad at base, with capitate top of the connective. Carpels many, linear, ca 4 mm long, slightly curved, strigose; style broad at base; stigma entire. Ripe carpels 6 - 8 cm long, muricate, dull green, warty, covered with long curved spines; stalks 2 - 3 cm long, stout. Seeds many, reddish brown.
Fl. & Fr. April - Oct.
Distrib. India: Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Central America and West Indies.
