The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

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

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.

Species 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.