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Genus 4. Ainonas. Custard Apple. Class XIII. Polyandria. 
Order VII. Polygynia. 
This genus can scarcely be called hardy, the trifid-fruited (Triloba) and smooth (Glabra) however 
will live in a warm situation. 
Species 1. Trifid-fruited Custard Apple. (Annonas Triloba.) 
The trunk of the trijid-fruited is seldom bigger than the small of a man’s leg, and rises about ten 
or twelve feet high, having a smooth, greenish-brown bark. In March, when the leaves begin to 
sprout, its blossoms begin to appear, consisting each of six greenish-white petals. The fruit grows 
in clusters of three, and sometimes four together; they are at first green, and when ripe yellow, 
covered with a thin smooth skin, which contains a yellow pulp, of a sweet luscious taste; in the 
middle of which lie in two rows, twelve seeds, divided by so many thin membranes. All parts of 
the tree have a rank, if not a fetid smell; and the fruit is relished by few, except negroes. These 
trees grow usually in low shady swamps, and in a very fat soil.* 
Mr. Miller observes, that this is rather a shrub than a tree, and that the flowers, at least in Eng¬ 
land, are of a rusty purple colour. He mentions, that the largest plant he had seen, was in the 
Duke of Argyle’s garden at Whitton, near Hounslow, which produced flowers the beginning of 
May. It is a native of the Bahama islands, Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia; and the seeds are 
frequently brought to England, by the title of Papaw-tree.f It was introduced here in 1736, by 
Peter Collinson, Esq.J 
Species 2. Smooth Custard Apple. (Annonas Glabra.) 
The smooth is a shrub, or small tree, and grows to the height of about sixteen feet, covered with 
a smooth, greenish bark. Leaves thick, stiff, and shaped like those of the Lemon. The fruit is 
covered with a smooth, yellowish-green skin; the pulp is of the consistence of a ripe pear, and con¬ 
tains more conic, brown seeds. This is an eatable fruit, very sweet, but somewhat insipid: it is the 
food of the Guanas, and many other wild creatures. § It is a native of North America. 
CULTURE. 
These two sorts will thrive in the open air in England, if they be planted in a warm situation; but 
the plants should be trained up in pots, and sheltered in winter for two or three years, until they 
have acquired some strength; then they may be turned out of the pots in the spring, and planted 
in the full ground, where they are to remain. 
The seeds of Species 2, are frequently brought to England from North America, and many 
plants have been raised from them in the gardens near London. When the seeds are sown, they fre¬ 
quently remain a whole year in the ground; therefore the earth in the pots should not be disturbed, 
where they are sown, if the plants do not come up the first year; and the pots should be sheltered 
in winter, and the following spring if they are plunged into a new hot-bed, the plants will come up 
much sooner than those which are sown in the open air, and will have more time to get strength 
before the winter. 
* Catesby. 
•f* Miller’s Figures. 
% Hort. Kew. 
§ Catesby. 
