Anona Reticulata — Custard Apple
This tree, which is not common in Hawaii, is rather delicate, and grows to a height of from 10 to 15 feet. It is a native of the Antilles, and is a very popular tree in the West Indies. It thrives in Southern California. Its leaves, which are either lanceolate or oblong and pointed, are glabrous above and rough beneath. In color they are light green and rather brittle, when bruised they emit a very unpleasant odor.
The flowers are three-petaled and are greenish or yellowish, with purple spots at the base. Artificial pollination will induce the flowers to set and produce better crops. The heart-shaped fruit is from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. The skin is smooth, with small depressions; when ripe, it is a pinkish-yellow and shading to a russet. Next to the skin the pulp is soft and creamy-yellow, while toward the center it is quite white. The flavor is sweet and delicious. There are numerous smooth, black seeds. This fruit, like its cousin the Cherimoyer grows true to seed.