Tropical Plant "Araticum-cagao"
Annona cacans

Characteristics – The araticum cagao is a rarely cultivated fruit tree, native to the semi-deciduous forests from Minas Gerais and Rio de Janerio south to Rio Grande do Sul, where it is of moderate occurrence. It is a deciduous tree, 12-16 m tall; the trunk is suberose and flaky, the diameter, about 50-70 cm. Leaves are simple and glabrous on both surfaces, 8-17 cm long.

The yellowish flowers are solitary or in groups of 2-4 of both sexes forming in September and October. Fruits compound (syncarp), green even when ripe with an almost smooth surface. The pulp is succulent and aromatic with many seeds and a sweet flavor. They ripen from January through March.

Uses – The tasty fruits are consumed in their natural state, even though they are slightly laxative.

Propagation – Propagated exclusively by seeds.