This small tree is native of the West Indies, from which country the plants found growing in many of our gardens in these Islands were imported. The thin leaves are ovate-oblong, and are very slightly hairy on both sides. The greenish flowers are about an inch long. The fruit which is from 3 to 4 inches in diameter, is the shape of a pine cone; it is greenish-yellow when ripe, and each carpel forms a slight protuberance. The sweet, creamy-white pulp is very delicious. There are numerous small smooth, brownish-black seeds, which germinate readily, and the plants bear fruit in from two to four years. This variety of anona is sensitive to drought, and thrives well at the high elevations. Plate LVI. |