Anonidium Mannii
(Junglesop)
Other Names: Asumpa, Bombi, Anguto, Tahu, Bobo, Ebambu
Related To: [Annonaceae] Cherimoya, Atemoya, Kepel
Main Uses: Fruit, Woodwork
Growth Rate: Fast
Mature Height/Spread: Can grow to t but is often smaller.
Flowering/Pollination: Large fleshy flowers, 2-3" in diameter.
Tolerance: Unknown.
Soil/Nutrition: Prefers a rich soil that is well aerated, but
also moist.
Light: Shade to full sun. This is an understory tree in it's
native forests.
Wind: Large leaves make this species susceptible to wind damage.
Temperature: Surprisingly cold tolerant, likely equivalent to the
soursop, enduring brief frosts.
Dangers: Seeds possibly toxic.
Diseases Prone: Fungal diseases are often reported.
Bearing Age: Many trees will not bear fruit for decades.
Fruit: Giant fruit, the largest in the annonaceae family.
Generally around 15" long and 4-6 kg. Large fruits are capable of
weighing 10-15 kg. Flesh is yellow to orange, and ranges from sweet
to sour, depending on ripeness and genetics. It has a very rich
flavor, overpowering to some, but generally tastes similar to a
mango. Fruits are often disfigured due to inadequate pollination.
History/Origin: This species is endemic to West and Central
Africa, in equatorial regions. It has been reported in Nigeria,
Ghana, Gabon and Zaire. It is considered a common jungle species
throughout these regions. Despite it's popularity, it has not been
cultivated or developed into a food crop, perhaps because it is so
plentiful where it occurs. Usually, certain trees are esteemed for
having sweeter, softer fruits, while less desirable (sour) specimens
are left to the treetop wildlife.
It is so well liked in the regions where it occurs, that for
example, in the Central African Republic, some people pay up more
than one day's salary for a single large fruit. A fruit of this size
is several meals worth of food. In addition to being an important
and widely liked fruit in equatorial Africa, it is also a very
important staple for wildlife, especially primates.
Species Observations: Species is surprisingly resilient to
adverse conditions, bouncing back from both drought and frost.
Propogation: By seed; recently, agricultural strains are being
selected and developed as a food crop.
Container Culture: Unknown.
Medicinal Uses: Unknown.
Nutritional Information: Per 100 grams of fruit:
Protein : 2.1 g
Fat : 0.6 g
Carbohydrate : 3.5 g
Fiber : 6 g
Sodium : 14 mg
Preparation / Food: Eaten fresh. |
