Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Annona squamosa

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

n

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

n

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

0

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-2

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

possibly naturalized on Nauru (small, disturbed Pacfic Island) See 3.04. No reports from elsewhere despite widespread introduction

1.03

no evidence

2.01

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

"The sugar apple tree requires a tropical or near-tropical climate. "

2.02

2.03

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

"The sugar apple tree requires a tropical or near-tropical climate. "

2.04

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

The original home of the sugar apple is unknown. It is commonly cultivated in tropical South America, not often in Central America, very frequently in southern Mexico, the West Indies, Bahamas and Bermuda, and occasionally in southern Florida. In Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and in dry regions of North Queensland, Australia, it has escaped from cultivation and is found wild in pastures, forests and along roadsides.
The Spaniards probably carried seeds from the New World to the Philippines and the Portuguese are assumed to have introduced the sugar apple to southern India before 1590. It was growing in Indonesia early in the 17 th century and has been widely adopted in southern China, Queensland, Australia, Polynesia, Hawaii, tropical Africa, Egypt and the lowlands of Palestine. Cultivation is most extensive in India where the tree is also very common as an escape and the fruit exceedingly popular and abundant in markets. The sugar apple is one of the most important fruits in the interior of Brazil and is

2.05

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

The original home of the sugar apple is unknown. It is commonly cultivated in tropical South America, not often in Central America, very frequently in southern Mexico, the West Indies, Bahamas and Bermuda, and occasionally in southern Florida. In Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and in dry regions of North Queensland, Australia, it has escaped from cultivation and is found wild in pastures, forests and along roadsides.
The Spaniards probably carried seeds from the New World to the Philippines and the Portuguese are assumed to have introduced the sugar apple to southern India before 1590. It was growing in Indonesia early in the 17 th century and has been widely adopted in southern China, Queensland, Australia, Polynesia, Hawaii, tropical Africa, Egypt and the lowlands of Palestine. Cultivation is most extensive in India where the tree is also very common as an escape and the fruit exceedingly popular and abundant in markets. The sugar apple is one of the most important fruits in the interior of Brazil and is

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

R. Thayman, University of the South Pacific, personal communication

no evidence; "established on the escarpment in a number of places on Nauru….and on the plateau, which is the area where phosphate is mined...I wouldn't say that they are bad invasives...Nauru is probably one of the most seriously disturbed landscapes on earth"

3.05

Weeds Australia Database<http://www.weeds.org.au/noxious.htm>

A. glabra is listed as prohibited. [Prohib Species on the Prohibited List, not permitted entry into WA under the Plant Diseases Act. ]

4.01

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

The sugar apple tree ranges from 10 to 20 ft (3-6 m) in height with open crown of irregular branches, and some-what zigzag twigs. Deciduous leaves, alternately arranged on short, hairy petioles, are lanceolate or oblong, blunt tipped, 2 to 6 in (5-15 cm) long and 3/4 to 2 in (2-5 cm) wide; dull-green on the upperside, pale, with a bloom, below; slightly hairy when young; aromatic when crushed. Along the branch tips, opposite the leaves, the fragrant flowers are borne singly or in groups of 2 to 4. They are oblong, 1 to 1 1/2 in (2.5-3.8 cm) long, never fully open; with 1 in (2.5 cm) long, drooping stalks, and 3 fleshy outer petals, yellow-green on the outside and pale-yellow inside with a purple or dark-red spot at the base. The 3 inner petals are merely tiny scales. The compound fruit is nearly round, ovoid, or conical; 2 1/3 to 4 in (6-10 cm) long; its thick rind composed of knobby segments, pale-green, gray-green, bluish-green, or, in one form, dull, deep-pink externally (nearly always with a bloom); separ

4.02

no evidence

4.03

4.04

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

Bark, leaves and seeds contain the alkaloid, anonaine. Six other aporphine alkaloids have been isolated from the leaves and stems: corydine, roemerine, norcorydine, norisocarydine, isocorydine and glaucine. Aporphine, norlaureline and dienone may be present also.

4.05

no evidence

4.06

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

Pests and Diseases
In Florida and the Caribbean, a seed borer (chalcid fly), Bephratelloides cubensis, infests the seeds and an associated fungus mummifies the partly grown fruits on the tree. This has discouraged many from growing the sugar apple, though in the past it was a fairly common dooryard fruit tree. Similar damage is caused by B. maculicollis in Colombia, Venezuela and Surinam, by B. ruficollis in Panama, and B. paraguayensis in Paraguay. The soft scale, Philephedra sp., attacks leaves and twigs and deposits honeydew on which sooty mold develops. Ambrosia beetles lay eggs on young stems and the larvae induce dieback during the winter.
The mealybug is the main pest in Queensland, Australia, but is easily controlled. The green tree ant is a nuisance because of the nests it makes in the tree. Bird and animal predators force Indian growers to cover the tree with netting or pick the fruits prematurely and ripen them in straw.
A serious leaf blight in India is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum annon

4.07

no evidence

4.08

no evidence

4.09

Utsunomiya, N.; Higuchi, H. (1996) Effects of irradiance level on the growth and photosynthesis of cherimoya, sugar apple and soursop seedlings. Environment Control in Biology, 1996, Vol.34, No.3, pp.201-207, 14 ref.

At 5% sunlight, plant dry weight decreased by about 90% compared with fully-lit controls and photosynthetic rate decreased almost to the light compensation point.

4.1

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

The sugar apple is not particular as to soil and has performed well on sand, oolitic limestone and heavy loam with good drainage. Water-logging is intolerable. The tree is shallow-rooted and doesn't need deep soil. Irrigation water containing over 300 ppm chlorine has done the tree no harm.

4.11

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

tree

4.12

no evidence

5.01

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

tree

5.02

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

tree

5.03

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

no evidence

5.04

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

Sugar apple seeds have a relatively long life, having kept well for 3 to 4 years. They germinate better a week after removal from the fruit than when perfectly fresh. Germination may take 30 days or more but can be hastened by soaking for 3 days or by scarifying. The percentage of germination is said to be better in unsoaked seeds.

6.03

Hybridized with A. cherimoya but uncertain if natural.

6.04

Sahoo, S. C.; Panda, J. M.; Mohanty, D. (2000) A note on pollen morphology, viability, pollination and fruitset in custard apple (Annona squamosa L.). Orissa Journal of Horticulture, 2000, Vol.28, No.2, pp.109-110, 3 ref

Fruit set by open pollination was approx equal to 3.33% and fruit set by controlled self pollination was only 0.75%. Such a low rate may have been due to cross-contamination of pollen in tihe self-pollinated treatment

6.05

Peña, J. E.; Castiñeiras, A.; Bartelt, R.; Duncan, R. (1999) Effect of pheromone bait stations for sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) on Annona spp. fruit set. Florida Entomologist, 1999, Vol.82, No.3, pp.475-480, 17 ref.

The effect of nitidulid beetle (Carpophilus dimidiatus, C. freemani and C. mutilatus ) pheromones, and combinations with food odour bait as attractants for pollinators were evaluated on fruit set of sugar apple and atemoya (Annona squamosa ). More fruit was observed on those trees baited with either C. dimidiatus, C. freemani or C. mutilatus pheromones in combination with food odour bait than on untreated trees.

6.06

6.07

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

2 to 4 years in seedlings

7.01

no evidence

7.02

grown for fruits

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

Bird and animal predators force Indian growers to cover the tree with netting or pick the fruits prematurely and ripen them in straw

7.07

7.08

bird dispersal

8.01

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

Seedlings 5 years old may yield 50 fruits per tree in late summer and fall. Older trees rarely exceed 100 fruits per tree unless hand-pollinated. There may be a total of 20 to 38, or perhaps more, seeds in the average fruit. Some trees, however, bear seedless fruits. (unless the 5 years old tree tree cover less than 1,45 square meter (unlikely), the seed density will be below 1000/m2 )

8.02

Morton, J. 1987. Sugar Apple. p. 69–72. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. <http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/sugar_apple.html>

Sugar apple seeds have a relatively long life, having kept well for 3 to 4 years.

8.03

no evidence

8.04

no evidence

8.05