Annonaceae (custard apple family)- Introduction

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ANNONACEAE
(Custard apple family)



Largest family of order Magnoliales with about 130 genera and 2300 species. It is widely distributed in the Old World Tropics. Over 25 genera and 200 species have so far been reported from India, mostly from peninsular region. 

Selected Indian Genera- 
    • Annona squamose (Vern. Sharifa), 


    • Cananga odorata (Vern. Ashok), 
    • Artabotrys odoratissimus.
       Usually aromatic trees or shrubs, rarely liana-like or woody climbers like species of Oxymitra or Artabotrys which is a hook climber. Bark, leaves and floral leaves contain oil ducts. 

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
    1. Annona Squamosa (Vern. Sharifa or Sitaphal) is cultivated in Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, etc for its edible fruits. Its leaves and seeds have insecticidal properties. A. reticulate (Vern. Ramphal), A. muricate (Ver. Maniphal), A. cherimola (Vern. Hanumanphal), A. diversiflora are all grown for their edible fruits.
    2. Artabotrys odoratissimus (climbing ylang-ylang) yields an eternal oil and also cultivated for its scented flowers.
    3. Polyalthia longifolia and P. pendular (Vern. Ashok) are grown for their beautiful green drooping branches on road sides and in beautiful residential buildings. P. longifolia wood is used for making pencils, boxes, match box industry, etc.
    4. Asimina triloba is cultivated for its edible fruits in America.
    5. Xylopia aethiopica is the source of guinea pepper. X. parvifolia wood is used for making plywood.
    6. Cananga odorata is cultivated as an ornamental tree because of its sweet smelling flowers. An oil obtained from these flowers is used in perfume industry.
    7. Unona pannosa yields a strong fibre used for paper making an cordage.
    8. Monodora myristica is cultivated for its beautiful flowers. Its seeds contain an oil used as a nutmeg substitute.
    9. Uraria narum roots yield an oil used as a medicine.
    10. Bark of Goniothalamus yields strong fibre.



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