Genus ANNONA, Linn. 
Anonaceae. 
Si/st. Nat. 
Polyandria Polygyni*. 
Syst. Lin. 
Annona, Anona, Asimina, Orchidocarpum, 
Porcelia, Uvaria, 
Synonymes. 
Of Authors. 
Anone, Corossol, 
Flaschenbaum, 
Asimina, 
Anona, 
Custard Apple, 
France. 
Germany. 
Italy. 
Spain. 
Britain and Anglo- America. 
Derivations. The name Annona was given to this genus by Linnaeus, who derived it from a South American fruit of a grate 
ful flavour, called anona, which signifies a mess, or dish of food, to be eaten with a spoon. Asimina was Latinized by M. 
Adanson, from a word of Canadian origin of a doubtful meaning. Orchidocarpum was probably intended to express a resem- 
blance between the fruit of this genus, and that of some species of Orchis. Porcelia is a name given by Ruiz, in honor of Anto- 
nio Porcel, a Spanish promoter of botany. Uvaria was also applied to this genus by Linnaeus, and is derived from the 
Latin uva, a grape. The German name, flaschenbaum, signifies Flask-tree, from the shape of the fruit. The French and 
Italian names are merely modifications of the Spanish one. It is called Custard Apple, on account of the pulp of the fruit often 
being eaten with a spoon, after the manner of eating a custard. 
Generic Characters. Calyx 3-parted. Petals 6, spreading, ovate-oblong, inner ones smallest. Anthers 
numerous, nearly sessile. Ovaries many, but for the most part only 3, ovate or oblong. Carpels the 
same number as the ovaries, baccate, sessile. Seeds many, disposed in a single or double row. Bon, 
Miller's Diet. 
HE hardy species of the genus Annona are chiefly confined to the 
United States, and vary in height from two to thirty feet. The 
low shrubs are deciduous, with white or purple flowers, and bear 
fruit about the size of small plums. They are rather tender, 
and difficult of cultivation, although they have been introduced 
into Europe at different periods from 1736 to 1820. All the spe- 
cies require peat soil, and are only propagated by seeds. 
