Cherimoya
Annona cherimola Mill.
Also known as: Custard apple
Family: Annonaceae
3 to 8 m tall
Planted in mild climates, frost-protected Mediterranean coast
Flowering: April – June
Full sun
Not very hardy, dislikes frost below -3°C, grown only in very mild, sheltered climates
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
The cherimoya rarely sets fruit without human help outside its native range: its flowers are naturally pollinated by small beetles absent from Europe, which obliges growers to hand-pollinate the flowers.
🍃 Leaves
Deciduous or semi-evergreen, ovate, somewhat hairy beneath
🌸 Flowers
Small, greenish, fragrant, with fleshy petals, naturally pollinated by beetles
🍎 Fruits
Large fleshy green fruit, generally 8 to 15 cm, with a bumpy or scaly surface depending on the cultivar; very fragrant white pulp.
🪵 Bark
Grey, smooth on young trees
🗺️ Distribution
Native to the Andes; grown very marginally in France, mainly on the Côte d'Azur in sheltered positions
🐝 Value for pollinators
Flowers naturally pollinated by beetles rather than bees, often hand-pollinated in cultivation
✂️ Horticultural uses
Exotic fruit tree planted in very mild, sheltered climates, fruit appreciated for its creamy texture compared to a natural ice cream
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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