Annona spinescens
Annona spinescens, commonly known as the thorny custard apple, is a distinctive shrub native to tropical regions. Characterized by its spiny stems and aromatic foliage, this medicinal plant is highly valued in traditional medicine. It is frequently utilized for its potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in various treatments.
- Scientific name: Annona spinescens
- Family: Annonaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Annona spinescens, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Magnoliales and the family Annonaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Annona.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Magnoliales | WCVP |
| Family | Annonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Annona | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Annona spinescens, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the prickly custard apple, while in Spanish, it is known as guanábana espinosa or anona espinosa. In Portuguese, the species is called anona-espinosa, and in French, it is identified as l'annone épineuse.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions within Brazil. It can be found growing throughout the West-Central part of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the diverse landscapes of the Brazilian Northeast. The species is also documented within the Southeast region of Brazil. Together, these areas define the primary natural range for Annona spinescens.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Annona spinescens, possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The trunk bark and the general bark of the specimen are often harvested for their specific chemical properties, while the seeds are frequently studied or used for their potent bioactive compounds. Additionally, the roots serve as another vital part of the plant, contributing to its overall medicinal profile and therapeutic applications.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| trunk bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Annona spinescens has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include pessoine, spinencin, spinosine, squamocin.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pessoine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spinencin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spinosine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| squamocin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |