Annonaceae

Distribution of Annonaceae:

The family Annonaceae is commonly called Custard-apple family. Rendle included 62 genera and 820 species in this family. Lawrence recognised 80 genera and 850 species. Takhtajan (1966) included 120 genera and 2,100 species in this family. The family is widely distributed in the tropical regions of the world. Some genera are also found in the temperate climates. In India it is represented by 129 species.

Affinities of Annonaceae:

The family Annonaceae is closely allied to Magnoliaceae but ruminate endosperm separates it from Magnoliacae. It seems that it had been derived from ancestors of Magnoliaceae. In the secondary cortex bast fibers are alternately present with phloem.

The family is also primitive and is one of the members of the arboreal Ranales. The trimerous flowers and small embryo indicates its relationship somewhat with Monocotyledons. Hutchinson treated it along with the Eupomatiaceae.

Economic Importance of Annonaceae:

  1. Food:The fleshy fruits of various Annona specifics are juicy and edible, and also used in preparation of soft drinks and jellies. Recent analysis shows that they contain about 18 per cent sugar. Edible fruits are also obtained from various species of Annona and Asimina.
  2. Timber: Bocagea virgata, B. laurifolia, Cyathocalyx zeylanicus, Duguetia quitarensis, Oxandra lanceolata and Eupomatia laurina yield useful timber.
  3. Oil: The flowers of Desmos chinensis furnish ‘Macassar oil’ a perfume. The perfume is also obtained from Mkilua fragrans and specially liked by Arab women.
  4. Fibre:The bark of Goniothalamus wightii produces strong fibers.
  5. Ornamental: Artabotrys odoratissimus and Annona discolor are grown in garden for their scented flowers. Desmes chinensis is an ornamental tree.
Annona squamosal
Annona squamosal

Annona squamosal.

            Evergreen tree, 2 to 6m tall, tap root, Aerial, erect, branched stem with oil cavities, Leaves 3 to 7 ´ 1.5 to 3.5 cm, alternate, exstipulate, petiolate, simple, Ovate lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, obtuse apex, Unicostate reticulate venation. Flowers greenish, solitary, bracteate, pedicellate, complete, actinomoephic, bisexual, hypogynous, thalamus elongated and cone-like. Sepals 3, green, free, Valvate. Petals 6, free in 2 whorls, both whorls Valvate. Stamens many, polyandrous, bithecous, adnate. Multicarpellary, apocarpous, superior, unilocular with single ovule, Marginal placentation, style short, stigma minute. Fruit etario of berries.

Flowering and fruiting -  May – July.

Annona reticulata L
Annona reticulata L

Annona reticulata L.

Evergreen tree, 3 to 5 m tall, tap root, Aerial, erect, branched stem with oil cavities, lanceolate leaves. 3-4 lateral flowers, yellowish-green, pedicellate, complete, actinomoephic, bisexual, hypogynous. Marginal placentation, style short, stigma minute. Fruit etario of berries.

Flowering and fruiting- December– March.

Polyalthia longifolia L.
Polyalthia longifolia L.

Polyalthia longifolia L.

       Evergreen tree, 5 to 10m tall, tap root, Aerial, erect, branched stem with oil cavities. Leaves lanceolate with wavy margin, Unicostate reticulate venation, shining leaves. Flowers 2.5-3.0 cm across, yellowish-green, pedicellate, complete, actinomoephic, bisexual, hypogynous. Marginal placentation, style short, stigma minute. Fruit etario of  berries.

Flowering and fruiting - May – July.