Part 11

Anona muricata.

SOUR SOP.

This small, hardy evergreen tree is very common in Hawaii. Its dark green, glabrous leaves are pointed, elliptical, and are shiny on the upper surface, but rusty beneath. The greenish-yellow flowers are usually solitary, and have a peculiar odor. The fruit is large, varying in weight from 1 to 15 pounds. In shape, it is either oblong or conical and blunt. The rough, dark green, shiny skin, which is irregular in thickness, is studded with fleshy spines. The soft, white, cotton-like pulp is divided into sections, each containing a shiny, black seed, about half an inch long. These are very readily propagated.

One third natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LIV

Anona Cherimolia.

CHERIMOYER.

The Cherimoyer, a well-known fruit of the tropics, is said to be a native of Peru. It is naturalized in Central America, is hardy in the mildest coast regions of Spain, and in Jamaica is cultivated up to an elevation of nearly 5000 feet. It thrives on the Florida Keys, and is also grown to a limited extent in Southern California. The tree grows to a height of from 10 to 20 feet; its branches are spreading, and the dark, shiny leaves are either ovate or oblong, and are sparsely hairy above and velvety beneath.

The single petaled, velvety-green flowers are very fragrant. The fruit, which is about the size of a large orange, is heart-shaped and slightly flattened at the stem end. When ripe, the skin is a greyish-green, and is covered with slightly-raised semicircular markings. The white pulp, which is soft and rich, is divided into cells, each containing a black seed about the size of an ordinary bean. The Cherimoyer comes true to seed and bears in about three years. It is one of the most delicious fruits, and its delicate, slightly-acid flavor is very characteristic. The Cherimoyer was one of the earliest fruits introduced to these Islands, and the best specimens of its kind are grown in Kona and Kau, Hawaii, where it continues to propagate itself naturally from seed.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LV

Anona reticulata.

CUSTARD APPLE.

This tree, which is not common in Hawaii, is rather delicate, and grows to a height of from 10 to 15 feet. It is a native of the Antilles, and is a very popular tree in the West Indies. It thrives in Southern California. Its leaves, which are either lanceolate or oblong and pointed, are glabrous above and rough beneath. In color they are light green and rather brittle, when bruised they emit a very unpleasant odor.

The flowers are three-petaled and are greenish or yellowish, with purple spots at the base. Artificial pollination will induce the flowers to set and produce better crops. The heart-shaped fruit is from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. The skin is smooth, with small depressions; when ripe, it is a pinkish-yellow and shading to a russet. Next to the skin the pulp is soft and creamy-yellow, while toward the center it is quite white. The flavor is sweet and delicious. There are numerous smooth, black seeds. This fruit, like its cousin the Cherimoyer grows true to seed.

One third natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LVI

Anona squamosa.

SUGAR APPLE--SWEET SOP.

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.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LVII

Psidium Guayava pomiferum.

(Common guava.)

The Guava is an extensive genus of low-growing evergreen trees, found chiefly in the West Indies, South America, and China. They have become naturalized in Hawaii, and may be found growing wild on waste lands and by the roadside. In some localities growing so rank as to become troublesome. The leaves are oval to oblong, usually acuminate, glabrous above and pubescent beneath, and have prominent veins. The fragrant, white, solitary flowers are axillary.

The somewhat rough skin of the globose fruit is a brownish-yellow, and the firm, dark-pink pulp, in which is embedded numerous seeds, is generally acid and aromatic. This guava is the source of the famous guava jelly of commerce.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LVIII