pond apple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• alligator-apple
• cow-apple
• mangrove anona
• monkey-apple
• Pond Apple
• bullock's heart
• cherimoyer
• kaitambu

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cassia ketschta
• Annona palustris
• Annona palustris var. grandifolia
• Annona peruviana
• Annona australis
• Annona klainei
• Annona laurifolia
• Annona chrysocarpa
• Annona uliginosa
• Annona klainei var. moandensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Magnoliales, it is a member of the family Annonaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Annona.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several nations within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence can be identified in the country of Gambia, where it grows in specific local habitats. It is also found within the borders of Guinea-Bissau and neighboring Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical reach includes the territory of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Annona glabra is characterized by its specialized adaptation to low-lying, waterlogged environments, primarily thriving within Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea, and Manguezal habitats. This species is strictly tied to specific hydrological conditions, occupying a vertical distributional range that extends from sea level up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. By inhabiting these distinct wetland and coastal ecosystems, the plant plays a vital role in the nutrient cycling and structural complexity of flooded forest and mangrove landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea, Manguezal

Life history

The life history of Annona glabra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present regardless of seasonal shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Annona glabra is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching an average height of approximately 10.54 meters, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 15 meters. This plant exhibits a self-supporting growth form and does not function as a climber, liana, or vine. It is a terrestrial species, existing independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and maintains a non-aquatic, terrestrial lifestyle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10.5375 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Annona glabra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative morphology is defined by leaf dimensions that vary significantly, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 10.5 cm. The leaf width is similarly variable, spanning from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to meet its nitrogen requirements for growth and physiological maintenance.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.5 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Annona glabra is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically utilizing insects such as beetles to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed development. These fruits exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 10 cm (averaging 9 cm) and widths varying between 6 cm and 3.375 cm (reaching a maximum of 0.75 cm, though note the provided mean and max metrics suggest a complex structural profile). The seeds contained within these fleshy fruits are characterized by a consistent volume of 250 mm³ (both minimum and mean) and a mean mass of 0.229 g. To ensure the spread of the species, Annona glabra employs a dual dispersal strategy: it is primarily zoochorous, relying on animals for transport, but also utilizes hydrochorous mechanisms, allowing water to assist in the movement of its reproductive units.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

10 cm

Fruit length mean:

9 cm

Fruit length min:

8 cm

Fruit width max:

0.75 cm

Fruit width mean:

3.375 cm

Fruit width min:

6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

beetle

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.229 g

Seed volume max:

250 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Annona glabra has 4 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
2. Phytochemistry
3. Journal of natural products
4. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Bioresource technology

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Annona glabra has 32 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 27-hydroxybullatacin, Alloaromadendrene, Annoglabayin, Annomontacin, Anolobine.

27-hydroxybullatacin

1. Journal of natural products

Alloaromadendrene

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Annoglabayin

1. Journal of natural products

Annomontacin

1. Journal of natural products

Anolobine

1. Dr. Duke

Anonaine

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Asimilobine

1. Dr. Duke

Bullatanocin

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Annona glabra has 223 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antiviral, Cytotoxic, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Annona glabra has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pancreatic carcinoma, Malaria, cancer, helminthiasis, infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations