The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Common name: Pond Apple, Alligator Apple, Swamp Apple, Corkwood, Bobwood, Monkey Apple, אנונה קירחת, אנונה קירחת

Family: Annonaceae (Annona)

Distribution: Mexico, Central America, the Caribbeans, northern South America and western Tropical Africa. A problemartic invador on the Australian coasts.

Habitat: Coastal marshes

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Broad leaved tree

Uses: The fruit is edible, used mainly to prepare jams and preserves.

Etymology: The name Annona comes from the fruit’s name in the American Indian, Taino language. Glabra means smooth and hairless.

In memory: of Nizza Yaffe-Ovadia, a teacher of nature and life.

Description: An evergreen tree, up to 12 m tall. The trunk is narrow and gray. The leaves are oblong with an acute tip, 8-15 cm long, 4-6 cm wide. The leaves have a distinct scent, similar to that of apples. The flowers’ size is about 4 cm. They are greenish to light yellow, with a red base. Petals are thick. Flower pedicels are about 2 cm long. The fruit is apple-like, green, 9 cm across. This tree is tolerant of saline soils.