Annona squamosa L.
Vernacular name: Custard apple, Sugar apple, Sitaphal (Hindi: सीताफल)
Species Name: Annona squamosa L.
Family: Annonaceae
Habit: Small deciduous tree
Stem: Low-branching, grey-brown bark, young twigs pubescent.
Leaf: Alternate, obovate-lanceolate, 5-17 cm long, glossy green above.
Flowering: April–July
Flowers: Axillary solitary or cymose clusters (fascicled inflorescence – few-flowered cymes); greenish-yellow, 2-3 cm diameter, 3 outer petals valvate, 3 inner petals smaller.
Fruit: Aggregate syncarpium, heart-shaped 6-10 cm, green scaly skin, creamy sweet pulp with 20-40 black seeds.
Uses:
- Leaf decoction is used for fever
- Seeds are used as insecticide.
- Ramayana mentions Goddess Sita enjoying sitaphal.
- Tribal remedy for diarrhea in Gujarat.
- In Ayurveda, plant is used to manage blood pressure and eliminate head lice.
- Fruit’s creamy sweet pulp is consumed fresh and is also used to make ice creams, jams and juices.
- Plant is rich in Vitamin C, dietary fibers, iron and carbohydrates.
- Plant has anti-diabetics and antimicrobial.
