Sour Sop or Annona muricata is a tropical short bushy tree that can grow up to 7 m tall with a diameter of up to 15cm. It has a thick, slightly shiny, long and narrow leaves. The flowers are large, often on its own or in groups of three. There have been researches that prove the medicinal properties of Sour Sop. It can be used to prevent or cure malaria and amoeba, as uterotonic, cardiac depressant, antifungal and antibacterial, and as treatment for parasitic diseases. It also acts as insecticide. The leaves when crushed are used as relief from distension and dyspepsia, scabies and skin diseases, rheumatism, and coughs and colds. It can also be applied directly to maturate boils and abscesses. Further, the leaves have sleep-inducing properties and can be placed under the pillow. The fruits, on the other hand, are used to treat bedwetting in children. It is also used as treatment for scurvy, fever, and as a vermifuge. The bark is used to stop bleeding on wounds. Other plant parts are used to treat headache, hypertension, heart problems, anxiety attacks, chest pains, nerve disorders, diarrhoea, and convulsions. The ovoid, spiny fruit is juicy and as fragrant as pineapple. When fully ripe, it is consumed raw or mixed with ice cream or milk. Immature fruits are used as vegetable. The leaves are source of corossol tea. The seeds are toxic and the stem contains an irritant sap. Like other plants in the Annonaceae family, it cannot tolerate frost but it can tolerate quite poor soil and a humid climate. It is fast growing and fruiting starts when the tree reaches its second year.
Invasive in Oceania.
